Knicks’ Anunoby takes offensive game to new level

DENVER – When the Knicks signed OG Anunoby to the richest contract in franchise history this summer, they secured the most potent defensive weapon on their roster in years, a player capable of guarding point guards one night and center the next. Or on nights like Monday against the Denver Nuggets, where you do both and more.

But an early additional return on the franchise’s investment has been Anunoby putting up the best offensive numbers of his career. After scoring 27 points Saturday at Utah, his highest in a single game since joining the Knicks, he is averaging a career-best 17.8 points per game. game and is shooting a career high 40% from three.

That’s what $212 million will get you, and that’s what the Knicks need right now — a player who is their best defensive player and has emerged as a crucial offensive weapon. Jalen Brunson remains the captain and most dangerous weapon on the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns has provided an offensive boost up the middle not seen in Madison Square Garden since the days of Patrick Ewing. But Anunoby has developed into a consistent offensive weapon while also tasked with defending, well, everyone.

“I’ll guard anybody,” Anunoby said after Monday morning’s shootaround, ready to face Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr. “I don’t mind. Whatever helps the team win. I’m sure tonight there could be points where I’m on Jokic, or I could be on Murray, or maybe on Michael. So it just depends on.”

You might be wondering how a 6-8 forward handles Jokic, conservatively listed by the NBA at 6-11 and 284 pounds?

“Just try to make him uncomfortable,” Anunoby said. “And he’s a great player, so he’s usually never uncomfortable. But just try my best.”

Towns was listed as questionable for Monday’s game with a left calf contusion that could open up more defensive assignments. And like Anunoby, Sims knew it was a big ask.

“I mean, he has a different game,” Sims said. “He’s a little bit more awkward. I guess I didn’t grow up playing against those kinds of people that much. Such a skilled big that he doesn’t have to be that athletic, just knows what he’s doing on the court.

“He’s really heavy-set, so if he gets the ball down low, he’s a little hard to move out of the way.”

Defending the likes of Jokic is something Anunoby has been called upon to do in his career, but this season he’s left the centers — including Joel Embiid earlier this month — to Towns and Sims.

But while defense may be his calling card, offense has become a constant for Anunoby.

“Yeah, all the way around,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I want him to be decisive. When he plays like that, it’s a lot more effective for all of us. When he cuts decisively, when he catches and he’s down and ready and poised and shooting along at the start, he comes into a good rhythm. And runs the floor when he runs the floor and gets into space or he runs to the rim and he catches a little one on him, those are easy buckets.

“I want him to continue to build on that. Offensively, I think we’ve done a lot of good things all year. Tonight wasn’t one of our better nights offensively, but I think that guys working together to create good shots and I think that’s important.”

“Just getting better every game,” Anunoby said. “I’m sure it will continue to improve as well. Just comfortable. Just be ready to shoot and don’t slow down on shots, go hunting more.

“It’s definitely more open (options). And cutting helps the whole team. Even if I don’t get a shot, someone else will be open from a cut from KAT being out there.”

Notes and quotes: While he was ruled out again on Monday, Precious Achiuwa is expected to be cleared for training on this trip. Thibodeau said he would need a handful of practices before entering a game.

Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with virtually every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.