Following the Knicks’ best season since 2012-13, New York hits the offseason with a lot of decisions to make regarding the future of the team.
Leon Rose has done a solid job at managing this team both financially and with their assets. However, the offseason could be a good test of his front-office skills depending on how he chooses to handle certain issues.
3 tough decisions the New York Knicks must make this offseason
3. Determine the future of Obi Toppin:
With the Knicks picking up Obi Toppin’s $6.8 million team option for the 2023-24 season, he has just one more season under contract with the New York. This leaves Leon Rose with a couple of options for what the team could do with Toppin.
For starters, the team could outright trade him to attain a more consistent veteran. Considering how often Toppin’s name was thrown around in trade rumors, it seems like this may be the most likely option. It’s hard to gauge Toppin’s value considering how little he was used compared to how well he played when he was given the proper minutes. Regardless, fans are sure Rose can figure out a deal that would benefit both Toppin and the Knicks.
Another option is to simply extend Toppin. While this is something I think all fans would love to see, it isn’t so likely. Forget the opportunity to trade him, but financially, the Knicks may simply want to hold on to as much cap space as possible for the incoming extensions for other young players on the team.
The final choice is one that is not only the least likely but the one that would likely anger fans the most. This option is simply letting Toppin walk as a free agent in the 2024 offseason. Not only would the Knicks not be getting any value out of losing Toppin, but the loss of him as a player would hurt as well.