The New York Knicks got to see the rewards of their recent blockbuster trade with the Toronto Raptors that landed them OG Anunoby.
Anunoby, 26, was acquired on Saturday for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley as the Knicks look to improve their roster for a push in the Eastern Conference.
Anunoby made his debut on Monday night as the Knicks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-106.
Anunoby was front and center, finishing with 17 points and 6 rebounds and spoke about his debut with NBA journalists following the game.
“I felt good,” Anunoby said, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I felt good. Just trying to help the team on both ends. Just talking to guys on defense and them talking to me, helping know where to be, and stuff. Felt good.”
Anunoby is considered a premier 3-and-D player, hence the hefty price tag that the Knicks needed to pay to land him, and now Anunoby is tasked with getting comfortable with his new team.
“Even during the game, they were telling me, ‘Go here. Do this.'” Anunoby said.. “Yeah, they were helping me out for sure, a lot of them. And I’m thankful for it.”
“I love OG,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “Really enjoyed coaching him. One of the most impactful, versatile defenders in the league. I’ve seen him guard Damian Lillard one night, Joel Embiid the next. Just very, very good on both individual guys.
“Offensively, I always thought that, uh, there was a little bit more in his game. He can really play-make out of the post, he’s pretty good when you get him to turn corners … I’m sure that they’ll be able to tease more of that out here.”
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau also heaped praise on his new player.
“I thought for the first game, impressive,” Thibodeau said. “Just to be ready, and kind of figure it out on the fly. Played smart, played off people well, hustled, moved without the ball, shot good shots, made good plays … very good start.”
Anunoby is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but it is expected that the Knicks will retain him.
Regardless, Anunoby is focused on the court.
“I just take it day by day,” Anunoby said. “I let my agents handle that stuff.
“When the time comes, [we’ll] figure it out. But I’m really excited to be here.”
