The New York Knicks are beginning to click now that they have begun to fully integrate their too-big off-season additions. New York's roster makeover from the beginning of last season to now has been stunning, with only Jalen Brunson and Mitchell Robinson remaining.
Normally continuity is a great thing that helps to turn a good team into a great one, but New York has made three big trades during that span, with the first one being overlooked but perhaps the most important.
One year ago yesterday, the Knicks made a highly impactful trade to acquire OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for the likes of Emmanuel Quickly, RJ Barrett, and two second-round picks. That deal has worked out well for both teams, but specifically, the Knicks, who have been one of the best teams in the league in the year since the deal was done.
One year ago today - the Knicks acquired OG
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) December 30, 2024
New York is 42-13 in the 55 games OG has played.
Incredibly, NY has outscored their opponents by 607 points in the 1,968 minutes OG has been on the floor in a Knicks uniform.
That's the fourth highest plus/minus in the NBA over the… pic.twitter.com/Ma9ZpnAYUu
While that trade has been overshadowed by the Mikal Bridges trade and the Karl-Anthony Towns deal, it has helped to transform the Knicks, with Anunoby being a stalwart on both ends of the floor. In fact, his play on the defensive end has helped New York steadily improve in that regard month over month.
The New York Knicks trade for OG Anunoby has worked out better than anyone could've expected.
When the Knicks acquired Anunoby, the move was well-received given that he was seen as a high-level role player who could help them get to the next level. Thus far, he has done that even if his numbers don't jump off the screen. He is averaging a solid 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. Even so, he has a stellar net rating of +10.4.
That is tied for the second-highest on the team, behind Towns but ahead of Jalen Brunson and Bridges. That highlights Anunoby's importance to the Knicks, with them clearly far better with him on the court than off. However, his importance will be tested come playoff time.
He will probably be tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player in the postseason. That is a big task, but something that he is well equipped to be able to do. He has plenty of size and length for a wing and should be able to effectively guard opposing perimeter threats when it matters the most, i.e., Jimmy Butler.
Jayson Tatum and/or Jaylen Brown. Offensively, Anunoby can do more than just spot up, and he is perfectly suited as a fourth option behind Brunson, Towns, and Bridges, making him the ideal fit for the Knicks.