What re-signing OG Anunoby means for the Knicks

Anunoby wanted to play for the Knicks 

Only days away from becoming an unrestricted free agent, Anunoby passed on testing the open market to stay in New York. While former NBA steals leader is getting paid, inking a reported five-year, $212.5M deal with the Knicks, he potentially passed up much more.

According to Ian Begley of SNY, Anunoby would have received several max contract offers had he opted to hit free agency. But, the former first-round pick has bought into the Knicks' "vision" and wanted to be a part of it.

For a franchise that was largely irrelevant and struggling to draw talent only a few years ago, Anunoby possibly taking a discount to come back means the Knicks are a destination again. 

Anunoby/Bridges pairing could be a difference-maker in the East

The Knicks will only go as far as star Jalen Brunson takes them. But, as the Boston Celtics proved during their run to the 2024 NBA title, depth and complementary pieces, similar to Anunoby and Bridges, can make all the difference.

Neither Anunoby nor Bridges will wow on the offensive end nightly, but both can be a threat. Bridges averaged 21 points a game over two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, while Anunoby posted 14.1 in 23 games with the Knicks in 2023-24.

The pair's true value lies in their versatility, as both are arguably elite on the defensive end of the floor. Add another defensive stalwart, Josh Hart, off the bench, and perhaps no other team in the East is better equipped to battle the Celtics head-to-head than the Knicks.

Locking up Anunoby has Knicks' championship odds skyrocketing 

If the Knicks had lost Anunoby this offseason, they may have still been a contender in the East. However, their outlook looks different with 26-year-old locked up, alongside a crew that's all under 30, including Brunson (27), Bridges (27), Mitchell Robinson (26) and Julius Randle (29).

The oddsmakers seem to agree. According to the latest odds from BetMGM, only the reigning champion Celtics (+300) are ahead of the Knicks (+725) as the favorite to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy next season.