Reacting to SNY’s proposed Obi Toppin Knicks-Pacers trade
The 2023 NBA trade deadline is now less than a month away, and to the demise of many New York Knicks fans, Obi Toppin’s name has popped up in rumors. With Julius Randle playing at a high level as he did back in 2020-21, Toppin has remained on the back burner.
Toppin suffered a leg fracture in New York’s win over Atlanta on Dec. 7 but has since been removed from the injury report. In his first couple of games back, he was labeled as “situational” by Tom Thibodeau, but in Monday’s loss to Milwaukee, Toppin played eight minutes. Regardless, based on rumors, fans need to try to be prepared for the upcoming month to be Toppin’s final one in New York.
It would be nice to see Toppin remain with the Knicks, but given that he was a lottery pick in 2020, it’s unfair to him to continue to be stashed on the bench. One team that has popped up in rumors is the Pacers, who have reportedly had talks with the Knicks regarding Toppin. If New York is looking to deal Toppin, Indiana would be a good fit.
With the Feb. 9 deadline mere weeks away, SNY’s David Vertsberger created five Obi Toppin trades that the Knicks should consider. Because the Pacers have been linked to Toppin (and they play at the Garden tonight), let’s look at Vertsberger’s proposed Knicks-Pacers Obi Toppin trade.
Analyzing proposed Obi Toppin Knicks-Pacers trade ahead of Feb. 9 deadline
Vertsberger doesn’t clarify what first-round pick Indiana would be giving to New York in this scenario, but the Pacers have a good amount of draft stock. It hasn’t been revealed what the front office may be looking to get in return for Toppin, but if the Knicks do decide to trade him, part of the return should be a first-round pick.
Keep in mind that New York is still looking to trade for a star, so the front office could be looking to add to their draft assets. When the Immanuel Quickley trade rumors were floating around, it was reported that the Knicks were looking to get a first-round pick in exchange for him. The same could be said for Toppin.
As for Oshae Brissett, his role in New York would be similar to what Toppin’s is now. He’d be vying for playing time, which is something that he’s already doing in Indiana as he’s averaging 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.
Vertsberger argued that Brissett is more of a consistent three-point shooter than Toppin and he’s better able to guard wings, meaning that as a 3-and-D option, he shouldn’t cut into Randle’s minutes. Brissett is shooting 36.5% from deep on an average of 2.4 attempts per game while Toppin is shooting 35.1% in less than one attempt per game.
As mentioned, if the Knicks do trade Toppin, it should be in exchange for a first-round pick. In this proposed trade, that would happen, but it’d be tough to see New York trade Toppin, a 2020 lottery pick, for a player that went undrafted in 2019 and is still struggling to solidify his role in the NBA.
If the Pacers offered Brissett and a first-round pick to the Knicks, New York’s front office should take some time to consider it, but ultimately, it should be an offer that the Knicks pass on.
