NY Knicks Get OG Anunoby Replacement in New ESPN NBA Mock Draft?

TL;DR

ESPN's latest NBA mock draft suggests the New York Knicks may target a replacement for OG Anunoby with their top pick. Anunoby has been a key player for the Knicks, but his future could be uncertain if the team underperforms in the playoffs.

Key points

ESPN's mock draft suggests Knicks may replace OG Anunoby
Anunoby has been valuable since his trade to the Knicks
He has three years and $135 million left on his contract

New York Knicks

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ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft opens the door to the New York Knicks selecting a potential OG Anunoby replacement with their top pick in June’s event.

Since arriving in a trade before the 2023-24 trade deadline, Anunoby has been a valuable part of the Knicks roster. He is a reliable three-point threat, an underrated scorer, a gifted athlete, but more than anything, he is a tenacious defender who can guard both forward spots.

However, if the Knicks disappoint in this year’s playoffs and don’t reach the final, the 28-year-old could likely be used in a blockbuster trade. Furthermore, there are still three years and $135 million left on his contract. That is a very big number for a player who has never earned All-Star honors in the NBA.

That may be the reasoning for why Jeremy Woo’s new ESPN NBA mock draft predicts the team will use its first-round pick in June on Arizona big man Koa Peat.

Could Koa Peat replace OG Anunoby?

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“Peat opted to declare for the draft and has an opportunity to play his way up the boards with a strong predraft process,” Woo wrote. “Some teams viewed him as an excellent candidate to return to school and improve his stock, an option that remains available to him.

Q&A

What are the implications of the Knicks potentially trading OG Anunoby?

If the Knicks trade OG Anunoby, it could significantly impact their roster and defensive capabilities, especially if they fail to advance in the playoffs.

How much is left on OG Anunoby's contract with the Knicks?

OG Anunoby has three years and $135 million remaining on his contract with the Knicks.

Who might the Knicks select as a replacement for OG Anunoby in the draft?

The latest mock draft by ESPN indicates the Knicks could select a player who fits the role of a replacement for OG Anunoby, though specific names are not mentioned.