More and more signs are pointing toward the end of Obi Toppin’s career as a Knick, and without him really getting a shot at proving what he could do with a major opportunity.
Amid reports of his dissatisfaction with his limited role and the Knicks being open to moving him, NBA reporter Marc Stein reported the Pacers had emerged as a leading suitor, with the Knicks interested in draft-pick compensation in return.
The Pacers made a big splash shortly after the free-agency period began, signing former Nuggets wing Bruce Brown Jr. to a reported two-year, $45 million deal.
The capped-out Knicks were interested in Brown, but couldn’t come close to matching that contract.
The 6-foot-9 Toppin was the first draft pick of the Leon Rose era, the eighth–overall selection in 2020.
He found himself behind All-Star Julius Randle, in a minor role that never expanded.
Toppin is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension and the Knicks have not appeared interested in extending him.
If they do end up moving him, it would be somewhat odd timing, since the team recently signed his brother Jacob, an undrafted forward out of Kentucky, to a two-way contract.
The 25-year-old Toppin quickly became a fan favorite because of the energy he brought to the second unit with his eye-popping dunks.
But he never emerged further, his shortcomings as a defender and shot creator limiting him.
Coach Tom Thibodeau resisted playing Toppin — the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk champion — and Randle together, citing the lack of a rim protector as the reason.
He averaged just 14.7 minutes per game over 67 games this past season.
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.
He had never publicly complained about his role.
While it would be unfair to call Toppin a bust, he has been a disappointment so far.
The Knicks passed on players including Saddiq Bey and Tyrese Haliburton in that draft to take him.