Amick explained that Sacramento\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
![\"SACRAMENTO,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2204461213-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Amick said. \u201cAnd they did not see him as a player worthy of the contract that he has right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
According to Amick, Sacramento\u2019s reluctance to make a major swing during the Beam Team era may have cost the franchise a chance to elevate into true contention.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Beam team with OG and Obi and Mike Brown would have been pretty fantastic,\u201d Amick said. \u201cWhether 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 first Finals appearance since 1999.<\/p>\n
![\"NEW](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2241718239-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Photo by Sarah Stier\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Amick believes the fracture between Brown and the Kings organization began well before his dismissal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always thought it was a mistake,\u201d Amick said. \u201cThat ship sailed kind of the summer before, when the Kings didn\u2019t want to give him an extension, and that insulted Mike and created a bit of a rift.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Brown now coaching on the NBA\u2019s 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\u2019s rise.<\/p>\n
Now, they\u2019ll have to hope they strike gold with the seventh pick in next month\u2019s 2026 NBA Draft as they look to rebuild for the future.<\/p>\n
Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the\u00a0Sactown Sports YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n Listen to\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross\u00a0from 6 \u2013 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on\u00a0Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Kingston Flemings, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, among others.<\/p>\n Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for pre-draft workout news, player breakdowns, draft rumors and MUCH more.<\/p>\n Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n Tuesday, June 23rd\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 1) Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n
\nWednesday, June 24th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 2)
\nTuesday, June 30th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
\nSaturday, July 4th \u2013 Monday, July 6th \u2013 California Classic at Golden 1 Center
\nThursday, July 9th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
\nMonday, July 13th\u00a0\u2013 Free Agency moratorium ends \/ signings can become official<\/p>\n