Why the Kings decided against trading for OG Anunoby

The Sacramento Kings had an opportunity during the height of the franchise’s “Beam Team” era to add one of the NBA’s premier two-way wings in OG Anunoby, but concerns over his future contract ultimately kept a deal from happening.

Speaking on Sactown Sports’ The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross, The Athletic’s Sam Amick shared new intel on why Sacramento never pulled the trigger on a move for Anunoby while the Kings were building around De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray from 2022-2024.

Amick explained that Sacramento’s front office and ownership group were hesitant about the long-term financial commitment Anunoby would eventually command, a concern that came to fruition when the forward signed a five-year, $212.5 million contract with the New York Knicks during the summer of 2024.

OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against Trey Lyles #41 of the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Golden 1 Center on March 10, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

“I always think about the fact that the front office and ownership group had a moment when it was a very real possibility to add OG Anunoby to their group,” Amick said. “And they did not see him as a player worthy of the contract that he has right now.”

Anunoby was eventually traded by the Toronto Raptors to the Knicks on Dec. 30, 2023, in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and two second-round picks.

Since arriving in New York, the 28-year-old has blossomed into a key piece of a championship contender, averaging 16.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range across 164 games with the Knicks.

According to Amick, Sacramento’s reluctance to make a major swing during the Beam Team era may have cost the franchise a chance to elevate into true contention.

“The Beam team with OG and Obi and Mike Brown would have been pretty fantastic,” Amick said. “Whether it was OG or even a guy who was in the finals last year with another former King and Pascal Siakam, you know, they never made that one move to elevate what they had already built.”

The conversation comes at a painful time for many Kings fans, who have watched former Sacramento head coach Mike Brown thrive in New York after his firing in December 2024.

Brown was hired by the Knicks in 2025 and has helped guide Anunoby and New York to the NBA Finals in his first season as head coach, the Knicks’ first Finals appearance since 1999.

(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Amick believes the fracture between Brown and the Kings organization began well before his dismissal.

“I’ve always thought it was a mistake,” Amick said. “That ship sailed kind of the summer before, when the Kings didn’t want to give him an extension, and that insulted Mike and created a bit of a rift.”

With Brown now coaching on the NBA’s biggest stage and Anunoby playing a starring role alongside him, the Kings are left wondering what could have been had they been willing to pay the price for the elite defensive forward during the peak of Sacramento’s rise.

Now, they’ll have to hope they strike gold with the seventh pick in next month’s 2026 NBA Draft as they look to rebuild for the future.

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Kingston Flemings draws De’Aaron Fox comparisons ahead of NBA Draft

• Is it too soon for the Kings to move on from Domantas Sabonis?
• Sactown Scouting Report: The Pace, Poise, and Playmaking of Kingston Flemings

• Sactown Scouting Report: The Unorthodox Upside of Keaton Wagler

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The Sacramento Kings are preparing for a crucial 2026 NBA Draft, which is set to take place from Tuesday, June 23rd, through Wednesday, June 24th.

Sacramento owns the 7th pick in the Draft, giving them a chance at selecting a talented player with upside, such as Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., Houston’s Kingston Flemings, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, among others.

Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for pre-draft workout news, player breakdowns, draft rumors and MUCH more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Tuesday, June 23rd – NBA Draft (Round 1)
• Wednesday, June 24th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Saturday, July 4th – Monday, July 6th – California Classic at Golden 1 Center
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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