Knicks PF Obi Toppin: Trade or Play Him More?
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The New York Knicks are still hoping for an Obi Toppin breakout three years removed from taking him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
As an energizer off the bench, Toppin has been good, but he hasn't been seeing the floor as often as he might be capable of.
"Toppin plays like a shot of adrenaline, but his end-to-end energy can scale to more than 20 minutes per game, let alone the 15.7 he averaged this past season," Bleacher Report writes.
Toppin averaged 7.4 points per game this past season, a step below his mark from 2021-22. His status as a former top-10 pick springs a ton of potential, but he's got a roadblock in his way ... Julius Randle.
"Julius Randle exists," Bleacher Report writes. "That inherently caps Toppin's usage. Especially if Thibs remains steadfast in his refusal to play both together. So while Toppin deserves a larger role, he may need a new team to get it."
The Knicks probably didn't expect Randle, who was just one season into his Knicks' tenure when Toppin was drafted, to break out as the team's star. Had they known, New York probably wouldn't have taken a power forward with such a high pick.
That being said, Toppin may be on the radar of other teams and if there are offers coming in for him, New York should consider trading him, especially if they can leap into the upcoming NBA Draft. If not, they should do what they can to give him minutes so they can see what they have in full scope before seeking offers at the February trade deadline.
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