ESPN’s Zach Lowe writes what Knicks fans fear about Obi Toppin’s future
New York Knicks fans know that it could be coming, but that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be any easier to accept if it does. Although the NBA world is preoccupied with the end of the regular season and playoff seeding, offseason rumors will soon start to pick up.
Trade rumors were out in full force leading up to the February deadline. For the Knicks, those rumors involved several players on the roster, but before the deadline, it seemed as if Obi Toppin was the likeliest to be on the move. Instead, the front office made one trade that brought Josh Hart to New York. Toppin remained on the roster.
The 25-year-old was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 draft. Since entering the league, he’s averaged only 6.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14.3 minutes. Those aren’t the numbers that he was expected to have toward the end of his third season. Toppin was drafted right before Randle set out to earn his first All-Star, All-NBA, and Most Improved Player honors. After a down 2021-22 for Randle, he’s had a bounce-back season in 2022-23, making it back to the All-Star Game and averaging a career-high 25.4 points.
What does all of that mean for Toppin? He’s averaging 14.4 minutes per game this season, which is less than the 17.1 he averaged last season. The Knicks picked up his fourth-year option earlier in the season, but it wouldn’t be a shock if the high-flying forward was traded this summer.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe writes “it’s hard to see any marriage” between Obi Toppin and Knicks
In Zach Lowe’s ’10 things’ (subscription required), he wrote his thoughts on Obi Toppin’s situation in New York. After mentioning that he’s still a believer in Toppin, Lowe wrote:
"Toppin’s entire existence is running around for two short stints, jacking a few open 3s and retiring to the bench. If he makes a couple 3s, he helped. If he goes 0-of-4, you forget he played. He has no chance to establish rhythm."
That’s painfully accurate. He’s been delegated to being a catch-and-shoot scorer in the corner, which isn’t the role that he should be playing. Fans have been begging Tom Thibodeau to give him more minutes (and to use him appropriately), but it’s all been to no avail. Toppin has battled a couple of injuries this season, but even when healthy, he’s been more of a non-factor. That isn’t his fault, though.
However, with Randle being sidelined for the remainder of the regular season (and possibly longer), Thibodeau has no choice but to turn to Toppin. It’ll be interesting to see how Toppin is able to take advantage of the opportunity.
To conclude his rant, Lowe wrote: “Toppin is eligible for an extension this summer, but it’s hard to see any marriage here.”
Also painful, but correct. Josh Hart is expected to decline his player option for 2023-24 in favor of a larger contract. Along with that, Immanuel Quickley’s play has raised talk about whether or not he’ll sign an extension this summer since he will be eligible to sign one as well.
If the perfect disgruntled star emerges for New York this summer, Toppin could be thrown in as part of the package. It’s been said time and time again, but that’d be the best thing for him. He deserves to showcase his talents on a team where he’ll be given the space to do so.
While Knicks fans are excited about the team’s current No. 5 seed in the East, there could be a chance that the playoffs will be the last time that Obi Toppin will be in a New York uniform.
