Knicks are trading former lottery pick and fan favorite Obi Toppin to Pacers, AP source says

According to a source from the Associated Press, the New York Knicks are set to trade Obi Toppin, a former lottery pick and a beloved player among fans, to the Indiana Pacers. Despite his popularity with fans, Toppin did not enjoy the same level of favor from coach Tom Thibodeau.

As part of the trade, the Knicks will receive two second-round picks, as revealed by an individual familiar with the matter who spoke to The Big Big News on Saturday. The person requested anonymity since the trade has yet to be made official.

The initial report of the trade came from ESPN.

Toppin, who was chosen as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft after earning the title of national player of the year at Dayton, faced setbacks due to the early conclusion of his college season and the subsequent delay of his professional debut caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, he missed out on crucial time to develop his skills and earn Thibodeau’s trust.

Furthermore, Toppin found himself playing in the shadow of All-Star player Julius Randle, making it challenging for him to secure playing time. Throughout his three seasons in New York, Toppin only made 15 starts.

Fans fervently desired to witness more of Toppin’s acrobatic plays, often chanting his name at Madison Square Garden. They hoped to see the forward who had triumphed in the 2022 NBA All-Star slam dunk contest. However, Toppin’s average playing time never exceeded around 17 minutes per game. In the 2021-22 season, he achieved a career-high of 9.0 points per game.

While Toppin would have been eligible for a rookie contract extension, the decision to trade him allows the Knicks to avoid making that commitment.

Toppin’s standout performance of the season occurred in the regular-season finale against the Pacers, where he started the final five games in place of the injured Randle. Despite the loss, Toppin delivered his best performance, scoring a season-high 34 points and matching his season-best seven rebounds.

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• New York Knicks Official Website: Official website of the New York Knicks.
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• Obi Toppin NBA Profile: NBA player profile of Obi Toppin.
• Madison Square Garden: Information about Madison Square Garden, the home arena of the New York Knicks.