The Knicks not only didn’t delete a Toppin on draft night, they added one.
Despite signing Obi Toppin’s younger brother, Jacob Toppin, to a two-way contract last week after the former Kentucky forward wasn’t selected in the NBA draft, the Knicks still could move their former lottery pick this summer, especially if they decide to hold on to All-Star power forward Julius Randle.
If Randle stays, there appears to be no path to an increase in playing time within Tom Thibodeau’s nine-man rotation for Obi Toppin, who averaged just 14.7 minutes per game over 67 games last season.
Those numbers broke down to 14.4 minutes in 62 appearances off the bench, and 31.5 minutes over five starts while Randle was sidelined for the five final regular-season games with an ankle injury that required arthroscopic surgery after the Knicks were eliminated by the Heat in the second round of the playoffs.
Toppin reportedly got into a shouting match with Thibodeau after he played only six minutes and was benched for the entire second half in Game 4 in Miami.
The frustrated outburst was out of character for the 25-year-old Brooklyn native, who has never publicly complained about his role.
Remember, Toppin also is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension this offseason, or he could become a restricted free agent after next season.
The 2022 NBA Slam Dunk champion still could be moved even if he’s not included in a package for a star such as Paul George, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, Zion Williamson, Jaylen Brown or another player on that level.
With that in mind, here are several potential landing spots and intriguing fits that would make sense for Toppin in terms of roster composition, style and available playing time.
Indiana
The Pacers were reported to have expressed interest in Toppin at the trade deadline, and the Pacers didn’t boast a true “4” for much of last season, starting either Aaron Nesmith or Jalen Smith at that spot. They added 6-foot-8 forward Jarace Walker of Houston in a draft night swap with the Wizards.
LA Clippers
The Clippers also were listed as a potential destination for Toppin before the draft by The Athletic, but they held on to the No. 30-overall pick and drafted Missouri wing Kobe Brown. Whether the Clips move Paul George, they are said to be seeking to add more athleticism in the frontcourt this summer, and Toppin certainly would provide that. They were prepared to include Marcus Morris as the third team in the original permutation of the Kristaps Porzingis-to-Boston trade, but they ultimately were replaced by the Grizzlies in that three-way deal.
Portland
Everyone is waiting to see whether the Trail Blazers commit to a youth movement and make All-Star guard Damian Lillard available in the coming weeks after holding on to the No. 3-overall pick and drafting Scoot Henderson. The Blazers also could move forward Jerami Grant, creating more frontcourt time for Toppin.
Sacramento
The NBA’s highest-scoring team during the regular season — and the league leaders in pace — were the Kings, and it’s fun to imagine Toppin getting up and down within Mike Brown’s offense. He would fit nicely in a forward rotation that features Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes and Trey Lyles.
Atlanta
The Hawks’ pending trade of forward John Collins to the Jazz, reported by ESPN on Monday, will open up significant minutes at that position.
Minnesota/New Orleans
Two teams mulling deals involving their big-name power forwards are the Timberwolves and the Pelicans, with Towns and Williamson, respectively. If either of those players are dealt, even if it’s not to the Knicks, that could create an option to move Toppin to one of those teams.
