The runner-up in Sixth Man of the Year voting the year before was in line for a nine-figure extension. He was a favorite for the award when he was traded, averaging 15 off the bench. With Brunson firmly entrenched as the franchise point guard,

Anunoby has averaged over 16 points per game this season, and has kept his efficiency at around the same pace throughout his career. His work as a top defender, though, has helped keep New York among the contenders in the NBA and has Anunoby looking like an All-Star.

It was just shy of a year ago when the Knicks’ front office had a seismic decision to make. The Knicks reportedly had been pursuing OG Anunoby for a minute, and the Raptors — despite being