Honestly, if you were watching the NBA on December 30, 2023, you probably felt that familiar jolt of New York basketball chaos. The Knicks finally pulled the trigger. They sent RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley—two homegrown pillars—north to Toronto for OG Anunoby. At the time, plenty of people worried about the bench depth. Quickley was a spark plug. Barrett was... well, he was RJ.
But then January happened.
The Knicks record post OG trade 2024 wasn't just good. It was historic.
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The January Blitz: 14-2 and Defensive Domination
When OG stepped onto the floor at Madison Square Garden on New Year’s Day against the Timberwolves, everything shifted. You could see it instantly. The spacing was cleaner. The rotations were tighter.
New York went a staggering 14-2 in January.
They weren't just squeaking out wins, either. They were destroying teams. They beat the 76ers by 36. They dismantled the Nuggets by 27. During that stretch, OG Anunoby became the first player in NBA history to record a plus-minus of at least +100 in his first five games with a new team. He actually finished those five games at +111.
Think about that for a second.
In a league defined by superstar scoring, a "3-and-D" wing was the most impactful player on the court just by existing in the right spots.
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The "With vs. Without" Problem
If you look at the total Knicks record post OG trade 2024, the numbers get a little messy because of injuries. OG missed a massive chunk of February and March with an elbow issue. Julius Randle went down with a shoulder injury that eventually ended his season.
But when OG actually played? The Knicks looked like the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Basically, the Knicks were 20-3 in the regular season when OG Anunoby was in the lineup. That is a 71-win pace over a full season. When he sat, they looked like a middle-of-the-pack squad fighting for their lives.
- Defensive Rating with OG: 104.1 (League-best territory)
- Defensive Rating without OG: 114.9 (Middle of the road)
It wasn't just the defense, though. His ability to hit corner threes meant Jalen Brunson finally had room to breathe. You’ve probably seen those clips of Brunson getting doubled at half-court—with OG in the corner, teams had to pay a "tax" for that double team.
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Why the 50-Win Mark Mattered
Despite the injuries, the Knicks finished the 2023-24 season with a 50-32 record, clinching the #2 seed in the East. Most of that momentum was fueled by the defensive identity established right after the trade. Tom Thibodeau finally had his "perfect" player. OG doesn't need the ball. He doesn't complain about shots. He just locks up the other team’s best player and stands in the corner.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Trade
People love to talk about what the Knicks "gave up." Losing Immanuel Quickley hurt. He finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting for a reason. But the trade wasn't a talent grab; it was a fit grab.
The roster before the trade had too many "slashers" and not enough "spacers." By swapping Barrett's high-volume, lower-efficiency style for OG’s elite efficiency and world-class defense, the Knicks basically unlocked a higher ceiling for Jalen Brunson.
The Playoff Reality
In the playoffs, the impact of the trade was even more obvious—and more painful. The Knicks beat the 76ers in a classic first-round series, but the heavy minutes started to take a toll. OG was heroic in Game 2 against the Pacers in the second round, scoring 28 points before straining his hamstring.
That was essentially the end.
The Knicks eventually lost Game 7 to Indiana, but the consensus was clear: if OG is healthy, they probably cruise to the Conference Finals.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you're tracking where the Knicks go from here based on that 2024 data, here’s what actually matters:
- The "OG Tax" is Real: The Knicks paid him $212.5 million in the 2024 offseason. It sounds like a lot, but for a guy who gives you a +23 net rating when he's on the floor, it’s actually a market-value deal.
- Health is the Only Stat: The Knicks' success is 100% tied to OG’s availability. If he plays 65+ games, they are a lock for 50+ wins.
- Roster Depth is Key: The 2024 run showed that while the trade improved the starting five, it left the bench thin. Watch for how they manage the rotation to keep OG's minutes under 35 per night.
The Knicks record post OG trade 2024 proved that one trade can change a franchise's entire DNA. They went from a "tough out" to a legitimate championship contender in the span of 31 days.
To get a better sense of how this changed their playstyle, you should look at the defensive field goal percentage of opponents when OG is the primary defender—it's usually 4-5% lower than their season average. Keeping an eye on the Knicks' injury reports is now the most important "stat" for any New York fan.