Life is Short. Wear Your Jordans

Kudos to Leon for not being afraid to crease his J's.

With the moratorium ending yesterday, there is plenty of news to digest from just the past 24 hours, so let's dig in:

🏀 The Knicks announced that OG Anunoby officially signed his new five-year contract.

"Since his arrival in New York, OG has personified the type of player and teammate the organization and city embody," team president Leon Rose said in a team-issued statement. "OG's offensive and defensive presence is undeniable and was a huge part of our success last season. We are thrilled to bring OG back to New York and continue the process of building a team and culture that makes our fans proud."

Here's the annual breakdown on OG's contract, which Fred Katz reports includes a 15% trade kicker:
2024-25: $36.6 million 
2025-26: $39.6 million
2026-27: $42.5 million
2027-28: $45.4 million
2028-29: $ 48.4 million

You guys know how high I've been on OG since before he even touched down in NYC. Re-signing him this summer was absolutely imperative, but I can't help but wonder if Leon would have been able to lock him in for a far more team-friendly number if they had let OG test free agency.

Remember, because the Knicks controlled his Bird Rights, New York was able to offer a maximum of  $245 million over five seasons. The most any other club could offer Anunoby $182 million over four years. I assume Rose and company were terrified that he'd flee to Philly, which would have been a devastating gut punch. But would OG really have left $30 million in guaranteed money on the table? And after Paul George agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Sixers, Orlando was probably the only other option (assuming he wanted to play for a contender and make max money). 

Oh well… The important part is that Anunoby (who posted a positive plus-minus in every regular season game he has ever played in a Knicks uniform) is back in the fold. Before his hamstring injury in Game 2 vs. Indiana, NY went 26-4 (.866 winning percentage) in the 30 games in which OG and Brunson both played. That seems pretty good.

🏀 And the next time OG suits up in the orange and blue, the Knicks will have another elite 3-and-D demon next to him in the lineup. 

New York announced yesterday that they have officially acquired Mikal Bridges from the Nets.

Here are the final details:
Knicks receive Mikal Bridges, Keita Bates-Diop, the draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet, and a 2026 second-round draft pick from Detroit, Milwaukee or Orlando (least favorable)

Nets receive Bojan Bogdanovic, Shake Milton (via sign-and-trade), Mamadi Diakite (partially guaranteed 24-25 contract), Knicks 2025 first-round pick (unprotected), Knicks 2027 first-round pick (unprotected), Knicks 2029 first-round pick (unprotected), Knicks 2031 first-round pick (unprotected), Bucks 2025 first-round pick (top-4 protected), Knicks 2028 first-round pick swap (unprotected), Nets 2025 second-round pick (reacquire the rights to their own pick).

"We are thrilled to add a player of Mikal's caliber to the Knicks family. His ability to score, shoot and defend at an elite level will add to a team that continues to grow," Leon Rose said in a statement. "Not only does he demonstrate excellence on the court, but Mikal's strength of character, diligence and dedication to the game of basketball are vital to the culture we continue to build in New York."

Yes, that's a lot to give up for Bridges, but two of those picks convey next year (which we assume we will be in the 20s - meaning NY has to sweat out just four more), and more importantly, Bridges is just such an insanely, ridiculously ideal fit on this Knicks roster, both on and off the floor. 

The reality is that Rose would have to part with those picks for a great player at some point if New York was going to reach its ultimate ceiling. And there are no guarantees that Giannis, Booker, Luka, etc., would demand to be traded to New York during Brunson's prime. The Knicks had an opportunity to upgrade their team dramatically. They had to pay a premium because Bridges is on a remarkably affordable contract and was coming over from Brooklyn, but it is what it is.

I explained it like this to a buddy the other day:

Many of us have one beautiful pair of Jordans in our closet that we never wear. We say we are waiting for a special occasion, the perfect time to break them out and wow our friends or impress some girl. But we don't. Instead, they sit on that shelf and collect dust. Is there ever a "perfect" time? 

There probably wouldn't be a "perfect" time for Leon Rose to cash in his draft chips. Among the realistic potential options, Mikal Bridges is arguably as close to a perfect fit (considering his skill set, age, durability, mentality and chemistry/connections) imaginable for this Knicks roster as currently constituted (during Brunson's prime). 

Life is short. Wear your Jordans.

Kudos to Leon for not being afraid to crease his J's.

🏀 Elsewhere in the Atlantic, the Sixers signed free agent Caleb Martin away from Miami on Saturday. It's a four-year deal reportedly worth a guaranteed $32 million but can reach up to $40 million if certain incentives/bonuses are reached.