New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin was frustrated at times with his role this past NBA season, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Toppin is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension this offseason. He would become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2024 if the Knicks don't sign him to an extension.
“On offense, the 25-year-old became more of a spot-up 3-point shooter with the reserves,” Bondy wrote. “A source said Toppin was frustrated at times with his role, although he refrained from complaining to the media. The first big window to recoup something for Toppin is during Thursday’s NBA Draft. The Knicks don’t have a pick but could use Toppin to either get a pick this year, a future pick, or another player.
“A league executive tapped Toppin’s trade value as a late first-rounder. The Pacers, who own the 26th and 29th picks on Thursday, have been speculated as a partner since they were also interested in Toppin before last season’s trade deadline.”
The Knicks drafted Toppin with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Dayton. The one-time Slam Dunk champion has career averages of 7.0 points, 3.0 boards and 0.9 assists.
Toppin is behind All-Star Julius Randle in the Knicks rotation.
New York won 47 games this past season. The Knickerbockers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games but lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals in six games.
“Despite the logical reasons for dealing Toppin, there are several factors that could prevent it,” Bondy wrote. “First, the Knicks hold Toppin in high regard — particularly Knicks executive William Wesley, AKA World Wide Wes, who has long been understood as an ardent Toppin supporter. There’s also the question of Randle’s future. If the Knicks indeed make a push for a star player, Randle might be shipped out and Toppin’s presence becomes more important.
“To be clear, there’s no rush. The clock hits an important time at the NBA Draft, but the Knicks have until the February 2024 trade deadline to unload Toppin before he hits free agency. The Brooklyn native and 2022 Slam Dunk champion missed several weeks last season after fracturing a bone in his knee.”
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