Knicks set on re-signing OG Anunoby after Mikal Bridges trade; Isaiah Hartenstein may be tougher, per reports

The New York Knicks swung a massive trade for Mikal Bridges late Tuesday night, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski among multiple reports. Among the immediate reactions: What does this mean for New York’s chances of re-signing OG Anunoby, whom it gave up a similarly large haul to bring in last season.

In the Bridges deal, the Knicks acquire the starting two-way wing while sending Brooklyn Nets a total of five future first-round picks (New York’s unprotected selections in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031 plus Milwaukee’s 2025 pick, protected for picks 1-4), as well as an unprotected 2028 pick swap and Bogdan Bogdanović. 

If you need to take a breath after reading that, you’re not alone. It is a massive trade package for a guy who has never even been an All-Star, but in the context of this Knicks team and what Bridges adds in the way of elite perimeter defense, shooting and secondary creation, it makes sense under one condition:

The Knicks successfully bringing Anunoby back.

Good news on that front as New York remains “determined” to re-sign Anunoby, who is an unrestricted free agent, per Wojnarowski among multiple reports.

The good news on Anunoby might be bad news on Isaiah Hartenstein, however, as there is a substantial market for the big man and the Knicks will likely need to sacrifice somewhere to make their roster work financially.

Of course, none of this is set and stone yet, and with the potential for additional moves to come, small details can make a big difference when it comes to roster construction. 

The Knicks are undoubtedly well into the salary cap number crunching, but as of now, the gist is this: Given that the Knicks took back more money in the Bridges deal (Bridges earns more than Bogdanovic), they are hard-capped at the first apron, meaning they cannot go above a projected mark of $178.7 million in total salary. Here’s where they stand after with Bridges’ contract now included:

If the Knicks wind up hard-capped at the first apron, it’s going to be a squeeze just to bring back Anunoby. That makes…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/knicks-set-on-re-signing-og-anunoby-after-mikal-bridges-trade-isaiah-hartenstein-may-be-tougher-per-reports/

Author : Brad Botkin

Publish date : 2024-06-26 04:35:07

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