Anunoby (hamstring) intends to ink a five-year, $212.5 million contract extension with the Knicks, which includes a player option and trade kicker, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Anunoby's extension comes in the wake of the Knicks trading for Mikal Bridges, giving the team an excellent wing tandem heading into 2024-25. Anunoby was injured for much of his Knicks tenure last season, but he averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks across 36.2 minutes during his 31 regular-season and playoff games, minus his five-minute final appearance in Game 7 of the second round against Indiana. His role should remain similar this upcoming season, especially with Julius Randle presumably returning healthy in addition to Bridges' addition.
Anunoby (hamstring) declined his $19.9 million player option for 2024-25 on Monday and will become an unrestricted free agent, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.
It was inevitable that Anunoby would decline his player option, as he has a reported market value of around $35 million-plus per year going into free agency, which starts June 30. The 26-year-old has proven his worth as a solid wing defender and three-point shooter, but his injury history is another factor teams will consider before making him an offer. Anunoby was traded from the Raptors to the Knicks on Dec. 30, and he averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks across 34.9 minutes in 23 regular-season appearances for New York.
Anunoby (hamstring) won't return to Sunday's Game 7 against the Pacers, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Smith and ESPN's broadcast said Anunoby, who started in his return from a four-game absence and scored five points in five minutes before exiting, won't return Sunday. However, Fred Katz of The Athletic relays that the Knicks haven't officially ruled Anunoby out yet. Miles McBride started the second half in place of Anunoby.
