The Summer of 2025 is still far away, but based on how the New York Knicks perform in the playoffs over the next couple of seasons, they could be in line to sign a marquee two-way player to create a legitimate championship defense.
OG Anunoby Will Ask for Top Dollars From Knicks
Toronto Raptors small forward OG Anunoby has had his name all over trade rumors for over a year. Expected to exercise his $19.9 million player option after the 2025 NBA playoffs, he’ll be a player for the front office to keep an early eye on.
Jordanna Clark of Knicks Daily revealed that Anunoby will be chasing a nine-figure salary from courting teams. The Knicks have ten expiring contracts on their payroll this season and have the opportunity to free themselves from Evan Fournier’s $19 million price tag due to him next year.
As it stands, New York has $125 million in contractual obligations. The Knicks are expected to try and capitalize off of rumors that Philadelphia 76ers MVP Joel Embiid will request a trade midseason.
The feasibility of beating the open market to the punch and trading for the reigning NBA steals leader and All-Defensive Second Team member looks slim for now. The Knicks filed a suit against the Raptors after a former employee took a collection of proprietary files with him to his new job in Toronto and their relationship appears strained for the moment.
- Knicks felt Bojan Bogdanovic’s absence in Game 5 loss vs. 76ers
- Devin Booker reportedly not open to Knicks trade despite New York’s willingness to offer a haul
- Studs and Duds: Knicks hold a 3-2 series lead following tough Game 5 loss
Who Could the Knicks Make a Deal For Anunoby Work?
Nevertheless, the right pieces could mend fences and reel in Anunoby. The million-dollar question would be who New York would give up in exchange for the fringe All-Star?
By the time the Feb. 8 trade deadline rolls around, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo will be eligible to be traded. Quentin Grimes will start at the two and is expected to take more strides on offense. Head coach Tom Thibodeau did not emphatically state that Grimes’s position in the starting five is set in stone, making him expendable contingent on performance.
A trade for Embiid would likely yield one of New York’s three stars. The Knicks’ money situation could look very different come Feb. 8, let alone following the 2025 postseason. Trading for Anunoby now would maintain New York’s offensive efficiency on the wing with a pristine 47.6/38.7/83.8 percent shooting line that mirrors that of Grimes but holds more weight when considering his top-tier ability to get stops and create turnovers.