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Will Knicks trade fan-favorite Obi Toppin ahead of looming deadline?

By Jordanna Clark

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 26: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second half against the New York Knicks at TD Garden on January 26, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Knicks defeat the Celtics 120-117 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 26: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second half against the New York Knicks at TD Garden on January 26, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Knicks defeat the Celtics 120-117 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks fans, it’d be best if you went ahead and prepared to say goodbye to Obi Toppin in the coming hours. The 24-year-old could remain in New York past the deadline, but given that he’s garnered interest from opposing teams, the Knicks should go ahead and trade him before 3 p.m. today.

This afternoon, SNY’s Ian Begley reported that “several teams” have reached out to New York about Toppin, but that the Knicks’ asking price is “significant.” He was the No. 8 draft pick in 2020 and if the front office were to trade him, it’d mark the second time in 13 months that New York parted with a lottery pick player (Kevin Knox last January).

As much as fans would love to see Toppin stay with the Knicks, the hard truth is that he’d be better off elsewhere. As Begley noted, Toppin has done everything that New York has asked of him, but there isn’t much that the Knicks can do with Julius Randle playing at the level that he is. That’s why the Knicks should proceed with trading Toppin sometime today.

Knicks need to do right by Obi Toppin and trade him before 3 p.m. deadline

Obi Toppin’s in his third year in the league and is averaging 15.1 minutes in 41 games, which is two minutes less than his average in 2021-22. He missed some time this season with a non-displaced fracture of his right fibula head, but even when healthy, Toppin’s played a smaller role than the one that he deserves.

A month or so ago, it was reported that the Pacers were interested in Toppin, and he’d certainly be able to receive more minutes in Indiana. If that ended up being where he ends up, the Knicks should be able to add a first-round pick to their assets.

Although trading Obi Toppin is a move that New York needs to make, it’ll be bittersweet to see him go. Fans would be happy for him, but sad to know that this tenure with the Knicks is officially up.

One thing’s for sure – if he is traded, he’ll always have the most passionate fan base in the league rooting for him.

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