Knicks: Why Obi Toppin was the steal of the draft
By Allen Settle
The New York Knicks lucked out with Obi Toppin falling into their laps.
The New York Knicks entered the 2020 NBA Draft lottery with legitimate hopes of landing a top pick. After the disappointment for missing the #1 overall pick and a chance at Zion Williamson in 2019, the team was hopeful their luck would improve the following season.
Despite holding a 37.2 percent chance at a top-three selection and a 9 percent shot at the first pick, the Knicks were shocked to draw the eighth overall choice in 2020. It seemed as though the franchise was doomed to add another solid, but unspectacular, player to a roster in desperate need of a star infusion.
In prep of draft night, Leon Rose tried to position himself to move up in the lottery, trading the 27th and 38th picks to acquire the 23rd pick, perhaps as a precursor for a bigger deal.
However, as the draft unfolded, New York received a pleasant surprise. One of the top colligate players in the nation, forward Obi Toppin, miraculously fell into their laps at eight.
The Knicks had landed the prospect that could have been one of the best players on their draft board behind the obvious top picks while sitting three picks outside of the Top 5.
Let’s discuss why adding Toppin was the steal of the draft.