Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

CONTRACT VALUE RANKINGS: Karl-Anthony Towns And OG Anunoby Are About To Ascend To Their Final Level

July 28, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Karl-Anthony Towns is the second-best player on the New York Knicks, but is he the most valuable second banana in the NBA? On this episode of Locked On Knicks, host Gavin Shaw ranks the league’s best second and third options by a specific metric: how good the player is relative to how much money they make. The result is a framework that surfaces surprising names and forces a hard look at what "value" really means in the modern NBA salary cap era.

The Framework: Contract Value, Not Just Talent

Shaw’s rankings are not a simple list of the best players. They are a deliberate attempt to measure contract value — a blend of a player’s 2026 salary, the remaining years on their deal, and their actual on-court production. This is a version of Bill Simmons’ old "Trade Value" columns, but stripped of sentimental factors like franchise history or ease of replacement. The core question is straightforward: how much are you getting for what you are paying?

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What you'll learn

1 (01:05) **Introducing the Contract Value Ranking Series** - Gavin Shaw sets up the episode's framework: ranking players by their skill relative to their 2026 contract value, starting with the most valuable second bananas in the NBA.
2 (01:45) **Why Stephen Castle is Ranked #1 Second Banana** - The host explains his controversial pick for the top spot, based purely on contract value.
3 (02:18) **Karl-Anthony Towns' Case for #2** - The host argues Towns' playoff performance, especially against Victor Wembanyama, justifies his high ranking despite a much larger salary.
4 (04:42) **The Second Tier of Second Bananas** - The host runs through the players ranked just behind Towns: Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Williams, Scottie Barnes, and Con Knippel.
5 (10:58) **Con Knippel, Jamal Murray, and the Rest of the Top 10** - The host finishes the second banana list, noting the gap between talent and contract value.
6 (18:51) **Transition to Third Best Player Rankings** - The host shifts to ranking the most valuable third options, starting with a shocking number one.
7 (20:42) **OG Anunoby: Underpaid and a Top-5 Playoff Player** - The host makes the case that OG Anunoby is the Knicks' most valuable third option and is underpaid at $42 million.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

New York Knicks shake up NBA contract value rankings—just how valuable is Karl-Anthony Towns as a second option despite his mega-deal? Gavin Schall breaks down the Knicks' pecking order with Towns, Jalen Brunson, and the surging OG Anunoby, weighing their impact on the team’s championship prospects.

Key insights spotlight tough debates: Stephon Castle’s rookie contract value, Tyrese Maxey’s game-changing speed, and Scottie Barnes’ defensive dominance. The conversation highlights Jamal Murray’s playoff struggles, LaMelo Ball’s health concerns, and Mikal Bridges’ ascent, while also ranking elite “third bananas” like LeBron James and Dylan Harper. Are the Knicks maximizing their roster for a repeat run, and is OG Anunoby primed for All-NBA honors after a top-10 playoff showing?

Timestamps

00:00 Ranking NBA's Second Bananas

05:38 KAT dominates Wemby in the series

08:54 KAT's passing and clutch plays

17:16 Ranking LeBron James' contract value

21:11 Discussing OG's playoff performance

22:52 Comparing Rim Protectors in the NBA

27:10 Upcoming topics and audience feedback

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