Report: OG Anunoby leveraging a big payday from Knicks

OG Anunoby will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The New York Knicks rolled the dice on their ability to retain the defensive-minded forward when they traded for him in December. 

Anunoby has struggled with injuries during his initial few months with the Knicks. Nevertheless, the franchise will undoubtedly want to keep him around.

According to an Eastern Conference executive who spoke with Sean Deveney of Heavy, Anunoby could look to "leverage" interest in his services to secure the biggest payday possible.

"Imagine the optics if the Knicks lose OG this summer," the executive said. "I mean, that looks terrible, right? They’re not going to let it happen. They don’t want to go to the max, but they could have to beat a big offer from the Sixers or someone else. That’s what all the talk is, it is a leverage play from OG’s people."

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports recently reported that multiple sources around the NBA believe Anunoby will test the waters of free agency rather than immediately re-sign with the Knicks.

"While league personnel are of the mind Siakam will certainly be re-signing with Indiana, there was word circling among team officials at last week’s NBA Draft Combine that Anunoby’s situation with the Knicks is not as cut and dried," Ficher reported. "…various teams left Chicago with the belief that Anunoby could reach unrestricted free agency and consider deals from other franchises in addition to New York, sources said."

Anunoby will undoubtedly be looking to land with a team allowing him to contend for a championship. Very few franchises have the available cap space and the potential to give him a better situation than the Knicks can offer. 

When healthy, New York is arguably the second-best team in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics.

Furthermore, Anunoby is a perfect fit for Tom Thibodeau's system. His gritty brand of defense and methodical approach on the offensive end have made him one of New York's most important players. 

New York will likely be willing to overpay to retain Anunoby's services. It wouldn't want to lose him for nothing so soon after trading for him. 

His camp will know this, too. As such, testing free agency is a smart play for the 26-year-old and could lead to a significantly larger contract than the Knicks initially thought he would command.