Knicks fans were surprised with an early glimpse of the year ahead of New Year’s Eve in 2023. OG Anunoby was traded to the New York Knicks on December 30, 2023, alongside Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa. In return, the Toronto Raptors walked out of that trade with RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a 2024 second-round pick (via Detroit).
It was a move that many in the NBA saw as a gamble. After all, Anunoby was heading to free agency, and Toronto wasn’t willing to offer him what he wanted. Trading away your Sixth Man of the Year candidate and your former top-three pick for a potential rental did not seem like a smart strategy. One year later, it’s easy to say the Knicks won that trade.
Re-Evaluating the Blockbuster OG Anunoby Trade
OG Anunoby’s Offense
Since he arrived at the Garden, the Knicks have been a stellar 42-13 record in the games he plays. That’s a 62-win pace! He’s having the best offensive years of his career with the Knicks, averaging 16.3 points, 5.0 boards and 2.0 assists on 47.5/35.1/79.5 shooting splits since joining the team. He was highly effective from deep in October and November, but despite a slow December before Monday, Anunoby will reclaim his spot as a good three-point shooter.
His ability to finish at the rim gives the Knicks another player who thrives in their spaced-out offense. The driving lanes are almost always open on a team surrounded by reliable three-point shooters, and he makes full use of that. 45% of all attempts are within 10 feet of the rim, and he’s one of the best finishers from <3 feet shooting 71% from this distance.
Durability and Defense
However, the best part of Anunoby has been his durability (this season) and defense. The most minutes Anunoby has ever played in a season is 2,386 with the Raptors in the 2022-23 NBA season. This year, Anunoby’s on pace to shatter that mark by 600 minutes. He averages 36.4 minutes a night and hasn’t missed a single game this season. Despite this load, Anunoby’s style of play has been the same. His massive wingspan and ability to gauge passes have been invaluable as he currently ranks fifth with 107 deflections. Anunoby’s willing to dive on the floor and fight for balls at his own expense, recovering 26 loose balls.
Among the players who guard 4.5 shots/game within 6 feet, Anunoby ranks in the Top 20 in field goal percentage allowed, letting opponents shoot just 59.3%. The Knicks’ lack of a traditional big has forced their wings into part-time rim protectors, and Anunoby has responded by averaging a career-high 1.1 blocks per game. Additionally, despite his added role on defense, Anunoby’s steal numbers remain excellent, he is averaging 1.5 steals.
Contract
There was some skepticism within the fanbase about paying him $212.5 million over 5 years. However, considering the Raptors are paying Quickley and Barrett nearly $60 million combined over the next three to four years, it’s not an impossible figure.
Precious Achiuwa
Despite all news outlets making up fake trades for centers to solve the Knicks’ defensive struggles, the fanbase was adamant that the return of Precious (and Mitchell Robinson) would solve all their problems. Precious’ return has proven those members right. Since his return, the Knicks are seventh in defensive rating. The Knicks defense is 7.1 points better when Achiuwa is on the court. Teams shoot just 38.5% from within the arc, and 41.4% from behind it when guarded by Achiuwa. The league average for both is 54.1% and 36.0% respectively.
Achiuwa’s offensive deficiencies are easily masked on a team full of weapons, and he helps mask his teammate’s weaknesses on the other end. His agility and wingspan help him keep the player in front of him and contest the shot well, while his ability to run around makes him a great asset for closing out on shooters.
The Last Word on Blockbuster Deal
If the Knicks could go back in time, they would make this deal every single time. This trade cleared out their crowded backcourt while helping them add elite defenders who could do it all. It injected a boost into this franchise and gave them guys who they could root for, revitalizing the team and ultimately propelling them to championship contention.
The post Re-Evaluating the Blockbuster OG Anunoby Trade appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.