New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby told NBA reporters that he’s optimistic he’ll play in the regular season again.
Anunoby underwent right elbow surgery on February 8 to remove a loose bone fragment.
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 33-22 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.”
The Knicks ended the first half of the season losing four games in a row to the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic. They open the second half of the season against the Philadelphia 76ers.
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 a lot of injuries at the moment.
Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Donte DiVincenzo and Isaiah Hartenstein are on the injury report.
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