A Toppin Trade Tune? Knicks, Jazz Having 'Exploratory' Talks
The New York Knicks and Utah Jazz are dueting once again. Time will tell if this collaboration provides any shifts.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the two teams have had "exploratory conversations" centered around Obi Toppin, New York's first-round pick from 2020 who has struggled to create a lasting role in the metropolitan rotation. Such a trade would also serve as a salary dump for exiled shooter Evan Fournier. In return, the Knicks would reportedly be seeking Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt while also sending "draft pick compensation."
This new report is perhaps one of the biggest signs that Toppin is due for a change of scenery: while a knee injury ate away a good portion of his third December with the team, Toppin's minutes have slipped from last season (17.1 to 15.2 minutes a game) and he hasn't played more than 20 in a single contest since Dec. 3.
After a scorching start to the season, the Jazz (27-27) have fallen back to Earth, currently holding the 10th and final postseason spot in the Western Conference (the fourth and final seed in the Play-In Tournament). Vanderbilt could fill in the consistent, experienced void the Knicks have had the post since Mitchell Robinson's was injured, as he has hauled in 8.2 rebounds a game over the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, Beasley is Utah's only player to partake in each of its first 54 games and has averaged 13.5 point in primarily a reserve's role. New York has struggled to earn points off the bench, with Immanuel Quickley constantly taking up the bulk of scoring from reserves: no other Knicks bench representative is averaging more than 8.4 a game, and that number belongs to Cam Reddish, another trade candidate who hasn't touched a game day floor in two months.
Scotto claims that front office influences could make the trade happen: Knicks senior basketball advisor Gersson Rosas previously brought both Beasley and Vanderbilt aboard during his time as the Minnesota Timberwolves' president of basketball operations while Jazz president Danny Ainge previously brought Fournier in from Orlando during his time at the helm of the Boston Celtics. Toppin was also reportedly made available in summer discussions involving fomer Utah star Donovan Mitchell before Ainge struck a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers instead.
The Knicks return to action on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers (7 p.m. ET, MSG) while the Jazz next play on Monday against Dallas.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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