3 Increasingly bold moves Knicks can make to cause draft chaos

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 22: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Miami-Dade Arena on March 22, 2023 in Miami, Florida. 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) /

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Obi Toppin, New York Knicks. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports) /

2: Send Obi Toppin to Pacers for late first-round pick

Newsday’s Steve Popper reported (subscription required) on Tuesday that Obi Toppin was hoping to be traded ahead of the deadline and that he and the Knicks have agreed on finding him a “change of scenery.” Toppin was drafted No. 8 overall in 2020 but has spent the last three seasons playing behind Julius Randle.

The Pacers are a team that have popped up as a possible landing spot for Toppin, especially because Indiana has three first-round picks (No. 7, No. 26, No. 29). One proposed trade would involve the Knicks sending Toppin to the Pacers in exchange for Chris Duarte and one of Indiana’s late first-round picks. Popper also reported that teams around the league believe that New York will trade into the draft, even if it’s a last-minute deal. It wouldn’t be shocking at all to see Toppin traded on draft night.

Time is ticking for the 25-year-old forward and the last thing that he and Knicks fans should want is to see him have another limited role for New York in 2023-24. He’s set to be a restricted free agent next summer and rather than lose him then, the Knicks could get something of value in return for him this summer.

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