Knicks’ OG Anunoby ‘Close’ To Playing Again

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby is “close” to playing again. 

Anunoby underwent right elbow surgery on February 8 to remove a loose bone fragment.

"OG Anunoby is close, this is right around the time that he's been expected to be back on the floor. So look over the next week or so, OG Anunoby will be back on the court."@ShamsCharania updates on OG Anunoby's injury.

📺: https://t.co/wdT8I0ST8g pic.twitter.com/GezbFWzNSL

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 11, 2024

The Knicks acquired Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors. They are 12-2 with the swingman in the lineup. 

One of the best defenders in the NBA, Anunoby is averaging 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks in 14 games with the Knicks, who are 37-27 overall on the season. 

Anunoby is making $18.6 million this season. He can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option worth $19.9 million. 

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Anunoby could take a contract discount to stay with the Knicks, who are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

“Anunoby held meetings with several agencies this past offseason when he decided to leave Klutch Sports, telling potential representation he was interested in a larger offensive role that would be commensurate with a salary figure in the ballpark of $40 million in average annual value, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Fischer wrote. “However, Anunoby did leave those potential agents with the impression he would be willing to accept a smaller figure if he were to have landed in New York, sources said. And it’s relevant to note the Indiana product did ultimately sign with CAA, which has deep connections to New York leadership.”

Anunoby has career averages of 12.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Raptors and Knicks. He helped Toronto win the 2019 championship over the Golden State Warriors in six games. 

The Knicks acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks from the Detroit Pistons at the NBA trade deadline. The team is dealing with three big injuries at the moment.

Anunoby, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson are on the injury report.