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Knicks send mixed signals to Obi Toppin with confusing two-way signing

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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Now that the 2023 NBA Draft has come and gone, the New York Knicks have officially made only one selection in the past two years — Trevor Keels. Many Knicks fans expected the front office to trade into the draft, but per usual, New York stayed quiet.

Once the draft concluded, the Knicks did sign a couple of undrafted free agents, including one player that fans should already be familiar with.

Obi Toppin was selected by New York three years ago as the No. 8 overall pick. He’s been a popular name over the past week due to the reports surfacing about his frustrations with his limited role and his desire to be traded to a team where he can actually contribute.

It wouldn’t have been surprising to see Toppin traded in a deal on draft night, but instead, the Knicks ended the night with two Toppin brothers. Kentucky product Jacob Toppin agreed to a two-way deal with New York.

New York Knicks sign Obi Toppin’s younger brother Jacob to two-way contract

There’s been a flurry of tweets about how heartwarming it is to think about Obi and Jacob playing together on the same team, including one from Bleacher Report about the brothers being together in the Big Apple.

Based on what SNY’s Ian Begley reported on Thursday ahead of the draft, trading Obi appears to be a priority for the front office. Newsday’s Steve Popper reported (subscription required) earlier in the week that the 25-year-old forward and New York have agreed on “a change of scenery.” The Knicks signing his younger brother to a two-way contract shouldn’t change that unless the front office has decided to keep Obi. However, that doesn’t seem plausible.

Obi has averaged only 14.7 minutes since entering the league and is set to be a restricted free agent next summer. He’s played behind Julius Randle for three years, and unless New York makes a drastic change by trading Randle, that’d be the same case for the 2023-24 season if Obi remains on the roster.

A lot can happen between now and Summer League, which is when fans will get the first chance to see Jacob Toppin in orange and blue. It’s good to see him get an opportunity at the next level regardless of the circumstances.

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