The New York Knicks made a huge deal on Tuesday evening when they acquired Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. Bridges now joins a Knicks team that was one win away from the Eastern Conference finals and could use a player of his exact skill set.
Logically, this could mean that New York loses free agent OG Anunoby. The Philadelphia 76ers, who will be major players in the free agent market, will certainly make a run at him due to his winning experience and his familiarity with coach Nick Nurse.
Anunoby also made a huge impact in New York’s Round 1 series win over the Sixers. He averaged 15.0 points and 6.8 rebounds along with 1.3 blocks from the perimeter and gave Philadelphia fits. He is the exact player the Sixers need next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
However, it appears that despite the big trade, the Knicks plan on keeping Anunoby in New York.
The Knicks are still determined to keep OG Anunoby in free agency, sources tell ESPN, but the ability to resign center Isaiah Hartenstein becomes more difficult now. The Knicks are loading up on wings to match up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
Regardless of whether Anunoby can become available for the Sixers, it doesn’t change the fact that they should still focus on Paul George first. Whatever happens with that situation in New York, the Sixers still have the resources to acquire another big player to challenge both the Knicks and the Boston Celtics in the East.
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