O.G. Anunoby has officially hit free agency.
The former Toronto Raptors wing has declined his $19.9 player option for next season and will head into unrestricted free agency this offseason, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic.
The decision was expected and comes as no surprise as Anunoby is heading for a big payday this summer. Anunoby is expected to re-sign with the New York Knicks. However, there could be other suitors who make things interesting.
Anunoby’s next contract is projected to be around $35 million per season, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Anunoby could end up getting the max contract if he draws interest from other teams like the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia can offer him a four-year max contract.
The Raptors traded Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn in December to the Knicks in exchange for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Detroit’s 2024 second-round pick.
There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding Anunoby’s long-term plans with the Raptors. Therefore, Toronto decided to trade him instead of possibly losing him for nothing in free agency.
If the Raptors want to bring Anunoby back to Toronto it will be tough. They would have to let Gary Trent Jr. and Bruce Brown leave in free agency and would have to salary dump Chris Boucher’s contract to create enough cap space.
Since the Knicks traded for Anunoby, all arrows are pointing to New York getting a deal done with the 3-and-D specialist.
NBA free agency begins on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, when teams can officially start negotiating with free agents.
Raptors make changes to coaching staff
The Toronto Raptors have shuffled their coaching staff this summer.
Former Raptors 905 head coach Eric Khoury has been called up to join the Raptors’ coaching staff as an assistant coach, the team announced.
Khoury will be replaced by Andrew (Drew) Jones III who will become the sixth head coach in 905 history.
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