NBA Executive Thinks Knicks Now Have a Leg Up Over Heat, Cavs After OG Anunoby Trade

The New York Knicks ended 2023 with a major move. Aiming to climb the ranks of the Eastern Conference, the Knicks traded for OG Anunoby, along with Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, in a deal that sent RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors.

Numerous teams in the league have long coveted Anunoby as a trade asset, and justifiably so. He fits the needs of any team, contributes on offense, and, most importantly, can guard the league’s best offensive players. Now with the Knicks, Anunoby is expected to bring these valuable skills to the lineup.

The trade has brought mixed reactions. An Eastern Conference executive, however, has expressed approval, believing that with Anunoby, the Knicks now have an edge over teams like the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers, who currently lead them in the standings.

Per FOX Sports:

“The Knicks rank eighth in offense but only 16th in defense, which makes them a middle-of-the-road team,” the executive said, via FOX Sports. “Adding O.G. should move them into the top 10, defensively, which should elevate their ceiling and give them a fighting chance against the top three teams in the East. That puts them above the chase pack of Miami, Cleveland, Orlando and Indiana. The Knicks didn’t have a starting caliber small forward or mobile power forward on their roster but they have plenty of other options at shooting guard — [Josh] Hart, [Donte] DiVincenzo and [Quentin] Grimes.”