After three years of being Julius Randle’s backup, Obi Toppin can finally show what he can do in Indiana. What does the trade mean for the New York Knicks’ future?
Obi Toppin gave the Indiana Pacers a sneak peek of his game in last year’s preseason when he sonned TJ McConnell en route to a signature Eastbay jam.
Now, the Pacers are getting the full show. After murmurs of trade interest for the last six months, the Knicks are finally sending Toppin to Indiana in exchange for two future second-round picks.
As good as New York’s decision-makers have been lately, the Obi Toppin experiment was a huge whiff, a feel-good homecoming story with a bad plot and worse director. The former National Player of the Year at Dayton and 6’9” Brooklyn native seemed like a steal at pick #8 of the 2020 NBA draft, especially considering Julius Randle’s seismic struggles the season prior. But Randle came back better in 2020-21, and Coach Tom Thibodeau never viewed Toppin’s ceiling as anything above understudy from the jump.
Did the front office and Coach Thibodeau ever work together to imagine a long-term role for Toppin? Or was selecting a Sam Rose client a strategic way for GM Leon Rose to display his loyalty and grow the family business? Nepotism only goes so far, apparently. Through three years in New York, Toppin averaged 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. Obi’s 14.7 minutes per game rank 31st (!) in the 2020 draft class among players that have played at least 100 games. An opportunity to shine was never there, and a second contract is now on the line.
In his first two seasons, Toppin showed flashes as an uber-athletic off-ball cutter, a fastbreak freight train, and an overall high-energy player for a team that usually drives under the speed limit. Last season, his role shifted to look more like a stretch four, a la Steve Novak or Ryan Anderson. For a non-shooter, Toppin’s .344 percentage mark in 2022-23 was a sign of good adaptability. But it was never enough to earn Thibodeau’s trust.
The brutal irony will sting each time Toppin gets a pick-and-roll feed from wannabe fake all Tyrese Haliburton, who, according to hindsight, the Knicks should’ve taken in 2020. The spacing Pacers’ center Myles Turner—another Knicks what-if target—provides will give Toppin room to prove that his footwork, strength, and touch around the basket are pro-level. His new point guard averaged 10.4 assists per game last season. Second-year guard Andrew Nembhard and recent free agent signing Bruce Brown can hit their targets, too. Hali’s already excited:
Now the Knicks will have to make up for those backup power forward minutes. The Toppin deal created a $6.8 million exception they could use in another trade. Names like Christian Wood, Markieff Morris, and Grant Williams are still available. In-house, Thibs could give Isaiah Roby a chance to fill the role, or he might experiment with Josh Hart and RJ Barrett filling that role. I spoke earlier about the Knicks needing more wing versatility, referencing what Aaron Gordon does to help Denver dominate. Now might be Barrett’s chance to redefine what he can do for this team (as long as he’s still here).
What was your favorite Obi Toppin moment from the last three seasons? There are many good ones, but I’d give my top slot to the third quarter of Game 5 against Cleveland, an underrated highlight. Randle was out with a re-sprained ankle injury. Toppin entered back into the biggest game of his life, got the ball in transition, and hit the windmill like clockwork.
The guy doesn’t lack confidence. Let’s hope it stays that way in Indiana. Good luck to Obi Toppin.
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out CP discussing Donte DiVincenzo’s fit on the Knicks on a panel with SNY’s Ian Begley.
