2020 NBA Draft: Grading the New York Knicks picks and trades
Grading New York Knicks picks in the 2020 NBA Draft: Obi Toppin
The Knicks front office got their man. The 2020 National College Player of the Year was at one time projected to be a Top-5 selection, but concerns about his age and defense, combined with his relative fit with the teams picking early in the lottery and late rising prospects around him, pushed him lower on the board to the Knicks with the 8th overall pick.
New York traded their 27th and 38th picks to Utah for the 23rd pick early in the day, which many believed they would use in a package to trade up to Cleveland’s spot at 5th to make sure they didn’t miss out on Toppin. Once the Cavs selected Auburn’s Isaac Okoro, it became clear that the Knicks would land the player they seemingly always wanted.
Toppin is represented by CAA, the same agency where Leon Rose built his career as a player agent. The 22-year-old also spent time during the pandemic working out with close associates to Rose and Knicks executive William Wesley.
The Brooklyn native reminds a lot of scouts of former Knick Amar’e Stoudemire, or the version of him that existed when he played for the Phoenix Suns and was an unstoppable force on offense. There is no question that Toppin is an explosive offensive talent who should excite fans with his ability to dominate around the rim.
Questions about his mobility on defense raise concern in a league where power forwards are now built like wings. If Mitchell Robinson is set to be the starting center, Toppin will have to line up against quicker opposing forwards, which could prove to be a match-up nightmare on defense.
However, all indications seem to suggest that he is committed to improving his two-way game, at least technically to make up for what he lacks in God-given ability (i.e. stiff hips).
A lot of Knicks fans were hoping the team would use their 8th pick to select one of the other intriguing options that dropped to them on draft night, such as Florida State’s Devin Vassell or point guard Tyrese Haliburton. And while arguments could be made for either of those players, or even Israeli playmaker Deni Avdija, it’s hard to criticize the Knicks for taking arguably the best player in college basketball with the 8th overall pick.
Leon Rose appears committed to building through the draft, but with Tom Thibodeau on the sideline, he is ready to start winning some games. Toppin is about as ready-made of a lottery prospect can be to step into the lineup and start contributing. There are concerns with every pick, but getting Toppin at eight is a good outcome.