Report: OG Anunoby "Not Thrilled" With Knicks Offer

It appears that there could be some trouble in MSG paraside. After shelling out a big package in Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett to land OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors back in December, the return was immediate as Anunoby set NBA records for plus-minus ratings while having an absolutely massive impact on the Knicks, going 20-3 in his 23 games played with the team.

But as an impending unrestricted free agent, it was understood that the Knicks would have to shell out for Anunoby on a big contract to keep him, and it was thought that wouldn't be an issue.

We're hearing now, however, that OG isn't too happy with the Knicks first offer.

OG Anunoby is not ‘thrilled’ with the Knicks’ current offer and will test the free agent market, per @WindhorstESPN

“Let's keep an eye on that. Most people believe Anunoby will stay with New York, but there have been indications he may want to test the market, because he's not… pic.twitter.com/wJew8iM1dc
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 18, 2024

“Let's keep an eye on that," said ESPN's NBA insider Brian Windhorst on the network's Get Up program on Tuesday. "Most people believe Anunoby will stay with New York, but there have been indications he may want to test the market, because he's not thrilled with what the Knicks are offering.”

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported earlier this week that Anunoby is expecting a deal of at least $35 million a season, after he declines the $19.9 million on the final year of his current contract.

"From executives I’ve talked to around the league, Anunoby’s floor appears to be $35 million, and his ceiling is a max contract," Scotto said. "Two general managers told me they’d pay Anunoby $35 million annually and that a max would be tough because of his injury history."

There's no word on what the Knicks are offering at the moment, but it's understandable that Anunoby's injury history would enter into the equation. The 3-and-D forward has averaged only 52 games a season over the past four years, and missed 27 of his 50 games with the Knicks after the trade. In fact, his absence for 4+ games in the second round of this year's playoffs sealed their 7-game loss to the Indiana Pacers.

One team lurking in the weeds if the Knicks don't finalize a deal is the Philadelphia 76ers. They have tons of cap room, an opening at forward with the departure this summer of free agent Tobias Harris, and they have Anunoby's long-time coach from the Toronto Raptors, Nick Nurse.