2023 NBA All-Defensive Team Forward Re-Signs with the Knicks

Former NBA champion and 2023 NBA All-Defensive Team member OG Anunoby has signed a five-year contract worth 212.5 million dollars back with the Knicks. Anunoby entered this year's unrestricted free agency class as one of the most desirable players on the market. Along with his six-foot seven-inch frame, Anunoby has a seven-foot two-inch wingspan making him a versatile defender. Not only is he a lockdown defender who can guard any position on the floor, but the young forward also stretches the floor well. He shot 39.4% from the three-point line during the regular season, and 48.8% from the field.

The New York Knicks traded for Anunoby on December 30th, 2023. The deal proved to be one of the best moves of the NBA season because the Knicks were 20-3 in games that Anunoby played. After watching this year's NBA playoffs, it became clear that having two-way players who could guard multiple positions was crucial if you wanted to win big. In a game where he got hurt in the third quarter, Anunoby scored 28 points to help the Knicks take a 2-0 series lead against the Indiana Pacers. If it weren’t for Anunoby keeping the team afloat while Jalen Brunson was in the locker room due to injury, they would not have won that game. Although Anunoby did not make the Conference Finals, the way the other two-way players played only made Anunobys value rise. Players like Jaden McDaniels, Derrick White, and Derrick Jones Jr. showed why having elite two-way production can take you to a deep playoff run.

Anunoby averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 blocks per game during the 2024 NBA playoffs. He also shot 41% from the three-point line which is better than he did during the regular season. You can fully expect the Knicks to be amongst the teams that are likely to go on a deep playoff run.