OG Anunoby Pursuit May Confirm Knicks’ Financial Crisis as James Dolan’s Celtics Strategy Backfires After Mikal Bridges Trade

The award for the boldest offseason move goes to the Knicks. Wait and watch is not on the cards for New York who are making early moves to prevent a Celtics dynasty. James Dolan’s team is spreading itself thin with some financial risks for high value free agents, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. NBA insider, Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed that the New York Knicks have acquired Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic and future draft capital. Next on the checklist is working things around to get OG Anunoby. However, the new financial rules are at play here and it puts the Knicks under severe restrictions.

Bridges reuniting with his college championship-winning buddies, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo might be the key to countering the Celtics’ offensive. But he comes with a big price tag. And some sacrifices are in order to accommodate Bridges and Anunoby.

Mikal Bridges’ contract has heavy implications for New York

It’s going to be a Villanova Wildcats reunion. Bridges, Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo couldn’t hold back their excitement on X after the Knicks’ big acquisition. The stress is for the Knicks back office to figure out. The ESPN insider, Bobby Marks illustrated the nature of this deal and the doozy it means for the Knicks. Bridges has two years left on a contract and is slated to make $23.3 million and $24.9 million in the next two seasons.

A potential extension is in order within six months. Bridges could sign a three-year deal for $113 million. It just illustrates the risks James Dolan is taking to reinforce its wings.

The Knicks will be hard-capped at the $189.5 million second apron limit. Considering existing salaries, upcoming re-signings, more trades in order, there is not enough room to operate. They also gave away four unprotected first round draft picks. That means, they not only reduced their treasury, they have lost the ability to replenish assets with low-end contracts.

The issue is that the restructuring is not done. Center Isaiah Hartenstein is entering free agency and is fielding some big offers. The Knicks are in no shape to match those offers and it’s unlikely the big man will take a paycut. It’s rumored that OKC might benefit from the Knicks’ blockbuster trade most as they have the cap space to acquire Hartenstein. That’s a headache for later. Their current priority seems to be the perimeters.

Knicks’ are not done with blockbuster moves

The Bridges trade now puts a lot of weight into ongoing negotiations with OG Anunoby. He opted out of his one-year player option but sources are confident he will re-sign with the Knicks. But Bridges and Anunonby play the same position. If Bridges isn’t a replacement to Anunoby if he’s not going to walk, what is the balance they’re trying to strike here?

A counter speculation is that both Mikal and OG are well-matched substitutes to each other. Something like the Celtics having enough substitutes for their offensive line. Both together present a massive championship opportunity for New York along with recreating the 2016 and 2018 NCAA championship winning teams. The only question remains if the Knicks can afford it.

Anunoby is expected to command a $35 million salary, a steep promise for the Knicks to fulfill with Bridges’ own salary demands. Yet a small faction of analysts said it’s still possible to retain OG and Hartenstein within the first apron if they make some strategic cuts in the payroll.

Hartenstein replaced Mitchell Robinson when the latter was injured in the past season and earned a bigger payday averaging 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds. Rumors are rife that Robinson is on the trade block too and the Knicks could potentially look for a backup center. This is a still a slim possibility and it all depends now on the structure of Anunoby’s deal. That is, if he stays with the Knicks.