It’s an old saying that might be overlooked in today's era of load management, but it’s still true: Games played is one of the most important stats for a player. Rest is important, but players who are prone to injury still raise concerns in the NBA. And the series of injuries wing OG Anunoby has had in his career definitely raises a red flag. NBA It's a well-known saying that might be forgotten in today's era of load management, but it’s still true: A player’s availability for games is crucial. Rest is one thing, but players who are prone to injury still raise concerns in the NBA. And the string of injuries OG Anunoby has experienced in his career is definitely cause for concern. Knicks wing OG Anunoby has had in his career is certainly worthy of a red flag.
Additionally, for Anunoby, the red flags are coming at the worst possible time, just as he is heading into free agency looking for one of the top contracts this summer.
Anunoby is once again sidelined with pain in the same elbow he had surgery on last month. After missing 18 games, he returned for three games but shot poorly on Monday, leading him to go back to New York for further examination of the injury, causing him to miss more time. Sacramento For someone who has missed 73 games in the last three seasons, injuries are definitely a concern.
“It has to worry you,” a general manager from the Eastern Conference told Heavy Sports. “He is going to get a lot of money from the Knicks, but he is starting to look like a player who is just injury-prone and that makes you nervous, paying him that much.”
One executive from the Western Conference said that Anunoby’s effectiveness as a two-way player is similar to Bucks veteran Khris Middleton, and commented, “He’s probably around where Middleton is, maybe just a little more.”
Comparison between OG Anunoby and Khris Middleton?
The next question, of course, is … how much?
One Western Conference executive stated that Anunoby’s effectiveness as a two-way player is similar to the performance from Bucks veteran Khris Middleton, and indicated, “He’s probably around where Middleton is, maybe just a little more.”
The comparison is accurate, although not perfect. Middleton is averaging 15.0 points and shooting 48.8%from the field, along with 38.1% shooting from beyond the arc. He is dealing with his own injury issues, similar to Anunoby, who is averaging 14.9 points with 49.2% shooting and 37.1% 3-point shooting. However, Anunoby doesn’t have Middleton's background, as Middleton has four seasons of scoring 20 points per game.
However, Anunoby is a more formidable defender, and that should impact his value. Middleton is on a three-year, $93 million contract with potential incentives that could raise it over $100 million. If Anunoby signs a four-year deal for slightly more, he could be looking at $150 million.
“Given the injuries and the lack of many other options for him, that’s the time to commit to him,” the Western executive explained.
Knicks Could ‘Break the Bank’ on Big Contract
Without a doubt, the potential suitors for Anunoby are limited—the Sixers? Orlando?—which gives the Knicks some leverage. The injury issues also play a role.
However, Anunoby also enters negotiations with the Knicks knowing they absolutely need to re-sign him. New York traded R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for Anunoby, and both of those players have thrived in their half-season with Toronto. The Knicks simply can’t afford to make the deal for Anunoby, only to see him go to another team.
“He will try to secure a lucrative deal there,” the Eastern Conference GM stated. “Why not? They cannot afford to lose him. Not a max deal or anything, but I think from his perspective, it’s going to look more like $40 million per year, approximately four years and $160 million.”
Warning signs, definitely.
