Following the New York Knicks’ second-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat, they enter an offseason full of potential for some big changes.
It’s always hard to determine exactly what any team’s front office has in mind for an offseason. However, in the case of New York, it can really go one of two ways. Either Leon Rose and the front office commit to contending and make some big-time trades to make a championship run, or they make some minor moves and depend on the development of players like Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley.
Regardless of what direction the front office opts to go in, these four things very well could happen. Are they the most likely to happen? No. Despite this, if Rose wants to get crazy this offseason, these four predictions are a good way to shake things up.
4 bold predictions for what the Knicks could do this offseason
4. Obi Toppin will be traded
As much as it pains fans to say, it doesn’t seem very likely that Obi Toppin will be on the Knicks roster to start next season. While he is a talented player, his fit in the offense and complete lack of defense make it hard to keep him around. Toppin’s offensive struggles may be more on the way he is used, but he certainly doesn’t do himself any favors.
Whether he is used in a package for a star or is traded for a role player like Buddy Hield, it simply makes much more sense to trade Toppin than keep him around long-term. Not only would adding a two-way, stretch-four type of player fit much better for the Knicks, but allowing Toppin to use his incredible finishing abilities elsewhere could do wonders for his career.
As for potential Toppin replacements, names like Trey Lyles, Jae Crowder, or Torrey Craig would not only be cheap to acquire but would fit much better with the way New York’s roster is currently constructed. Even if the Knicks don’t wish to add a more traditional power forward, there are tons of versatile wings available on the trade market or through free agency.
Fans have all the faith in the world for Toppin to be a successful NBA player. However, it has become more and more clear that this will likely not occur if he remains in New York.