How the Knicks Sealed Their Giannis Fate with the OG Anunoby Deal
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When the New York Knicks signed OG Anunoby to a 5-year, $212 million contract, they didn’t just secure an elite two-way wing—they fundamentally altered their path to acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Financial Reality
The OG Anunoby deal represents more than just a significant financial commitment. At $42.4 million per year, it’s a statement that the Knicks are building around their current core rather than preserving flexibility for a potential superstar acquisition.
Knicks’ Core Salary Commitments
| Player | Contract Value | Annual Average | Years Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karl-Anthony Towns | $220M | $49.2M | 2 years |
| OG Anunoby | $212M | $42.4M | 3 years |
| Jalen Brunson | $156.5M | $37.1M | 3 years |
| Mikal Bridges | $90.9M | $23.3M | 4 years |
| Total Core Four | $679.4M | $152M/year | - |
With Jalen Brunson’s contract, KAT’s hefty salary, and Anunoby’s massive deal, the Knicks have effectively locked themselves into their current trajectory. The financial gymnastics required to create max cap space are nearly impossible without gutting the roster.
Projected Salary Cap Situation (2025-26)
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| NBA Salary Cap | $141M (projected) |
| Luxury Tax Threshold | $171M (projected) |
| Second Apron | $188M (projected) |
| Knicks Committed Salary | ~$178M |
| Distance from Second Apron | -$10M over |
Why This Matters for Giannis
Giannis Antetokounmpo represents the holy grail of NBA free agency. A two-time MVP, Finals MVP, and one of the most dominant forces in basketball, he’s exactly the type of superstar that could transform a franchise overnight.
The Giannis Factor: Why He’s Worth the Wait
| Stat Category | 2024-25 Season | Career Average |
|---|---|---|
| Points per Game | 30.8 | 22.8 |
| Rebounds per Game | 12.4 | 9.9 |
| Assists per Game | 5.9 | 4.8 |
| FG% | 61.2% | 55.1% |
| PER (Player Efficiency Rating) | 31.5 | 26.3 |
| MVP Awards | 2 | - |
| All-Star Selections | 8 | - |
The Anunoby signing suggests the Knicks have made their choice: build a competitive team now rather than wait for a superstar who may never become available.
The Trade Scenario Problem
Could the Knicks still trade for Giannis? Theoretically, yes. But the math becomes incredibly complicated. They’d need to match salaries, which likely means including Anunoby himself in any deal—defeating the purpose of signing him in the first place.
Hypothetical Giannis Trade Scenarios
Scenario 1: Salary Matching Requirements
| Giannis’s Salary | Required Outgoing Salary (125% + $100K) |
|---|---|
| $48.8M | $61.1M |
Possible Combinations:
- OG Anunoby ($42.4M) + Mikal Bridges ($23.3M) = $65.7M ✓
- OG Anunoby ($42.4M) + Josh Hart ($18.1M) = $60.5M ✗ (just short)
- Karl-Anthony Towns ($49.2M) alone ✓
Scenario 2: Second Apron Restrictions
Teams over the second apron ($188M) cannot:
- Aggregate salaries in trades
- Take back more salary than they send out
- Use trade exceptions
Knicks’ Position: ~$10M over the second apron = Severely limited trade flexibility
It will be difficult to find a team that is willing to have OG Anunoby’s contract on their payroll, especially with the second apron restrictions limiting most contenders.
OG Anunoby: The Numbers Tell the Story
To understand what the Knicks are committing to, let’s examine what Anunoby brings to the table:
OG Anunoby’s 2024-25 Performance
| Category | Stat | League Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points per Game | 16.4 | - |
| Three-Point % | 38.2% | Top 30% |
| Defensive Rating | 109.4 | Top 20 |
| Steals per Game | 1.6 | Top 25 |
| Deflections per Game | 3.2 | Top 15 |
| Net Rating with Anunoby | +7.8 | - |
| Net Rating without Anunoby | +2.1 | - |
Contract Value Comparison: Elite Wings
| Player | Annual Salary | Age | 3PT% | Defensive Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | $54.8M | 26 | 37.8% | 112.3 |
| Kawhi Leonard | $49.2M | 33 | 40.1% | 108.7 |
| Paul George | $48.8M | 34 | 41.2% | 110.9 |
| OG Anunoby | $42.4M | 27 | 38.2% | 109.4 |
| Mikal Bridges | $23.3M | 28 | 35.4% | 111.8 |
The Silver Lining
Here’s the counterargument: maybe signing OG Anunoby is the path to Giannis. If the Knicks can build a legitimate contender with their current core, they become a more attractive destination for stars seeking championships rather than rebuilding projects.
Knicks Performance Metrics (2024-25)
| Metric | With Core Four | League Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive Rating | 118.2 | 8th |
| Defensive Rating | 110.5 | 5th |
| Net Rating | +7.7 | 4th |
| Wins | 19-10 | 3rd in East |
| Championship Odds | +900 | 6th overall |
Additionally, Anunoby’s defensive versatility and three-point shooting make him exactly the type of player who could complement Giannis if the stars somehow aligned. He’s not a ball-dominant player, and he thrives in a system where he can focus on defense and spot-up shooting.
The Fit Factor: Anunoby + Giannis
| What Giannis Needs | What OG Provides |
|---|---|
| Perimeter Defense | Elite wing defender (All-Defense caliber) |
| Floor Spacing | 38.2% from three on 5.8 attempts |
| Low Usage Player | 19.8% usage rate (doesn’t need the ball) |
| Switchability | Guards 1-4 positions |
| Playoff Experience | 71 playoff games, championship experience |
The Verdict
The reality is that the Knicks have chosen their path. The OG Anunoby contract is a commitment to winning now with this core, not preserving flexibility for a hypothetical future. Whether that’s the right decision depends on your perspective:
Paths Forward: Success Probability
| Scenario | Timeline | Probability | Championship Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win with Current Core | 2025-2028 | Moderate (30-35%) | 3-4 years |
| Trade for Giannis (2026) | 2026-2030 | Low (10-15%) | 4-5 years |
| Sign Giannis in Free Agency | 2027+ | Very Low (<5%) | 3-4 years |
| Maintain Flexibility | 2025-2027 | Unknown | Delayed |
The Knicks’ Bet: Win now with Brunson-Towns-Anunoby-Bridges and hope that success attracts future stars.
For Knicks fans dreaming of Giannis in orange and blue, the dream isn’t dead, but it’s certainly on life support. The front office has placed their bet, and only time will tell if it pays off.
Note: All statistics current as of December 20, 2025. Salary figures based on reported contracts and projected cap numbers.