Obi Toppin averaged 17.1 minutes per game in his second season with the Knicks and it’s unlikely his playing time will increase, Fred Katz of The Athletic writes in his latest mailbag. With Julius Randle at power forward and the duo of Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein at center, along with the presence of Jericho Sims, Toppin won’t have a big role unless there’s an injury or trade, Katz opines.
In Katz’s view, Toppin is still likely to play more minutes than Cam Reddish, who won’t be in the rotation if the current roster stands. Reddish projects as the 11th man and Tom Thibodeau won’t have that many players in the rotation.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Knicks guard Derrick Rose should be “good to go” by training camp, Katz reports in the same piece. Rose underwent two surgical procedures on his ankle last season, limiting him to 26 games. He’s expected to be Jalen Brunson‘s primary backup.
- The Nets took a low-risk flier on forward T.J. Warren, who hasn’t played since December 29, 2020, but he could be a significant factor no matter how the roster shakes out, according to The New York Post’s Brian Lewis. Warren can be a complementary piece to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, assuming the superstar duo isn’t traded. Alternatively, he could be at or near the top in individual scoring for the club if Durant and Irving are gone. Warren was signed to a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal early in free agency.
- The Raptors have thus far refused to give up potential All-Star forward Scottie Barnes in trade discussions regarding Durant. However, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on Brian Windhorst’s podcast (audio link) that an executive he respects said he’d give up Barnes to land Durant. That same exec told MacMahon he wouldn’t trade Barnes for Donovan Mitchell.
- In case you missed it, here’s the latest on a potential Irving trade with the Lakers.
Anige will have to come down on his demands for Mitchell. Minnesota gave him a gift trade. New York needs to say this is our final offer and it is good till… and Move on.
Why? They don’t have to trade him.
Wish the knicks would give time to Cam and at least see what he can do.
In the same boat! Why not give him the opportunity. Personally, I think the coach is the problem. Wrong coach for the team.
I feel like Toppin would really benefit by playing with a legit PG. Dallas or Phoenix.
Wouldn’t give anything for that spoiled cry baby! Unprofessional clown!
How exactly is he a spoiled crybaby? He didn’t demand or even request a trade. If anything Utah is messed up for throwing his name out there after signing him to a longterm contract.
There are plenty of spoiled crybabies in the NBA but I fail to see how he’s one of them.
I’m I the only one that remembers that Durant said “Toronto will never win another NBA Championship” after the fans cheered when he got injured in the finals??? Why would we trade for someone that tried to “curse” our franchise????
@Chris G- KD will be 34 years old in September, is still a great player for probably the next 3 years. He’s signed for 4 more years for $194 million. He is a crybaby for demanding to be traded after signing a extension. The Nets shouldn’t have to cater to him now, so basically his trade demand should mean nothing.
Cam is not in a good place. I see him as a SF who needs girth. Got talent but needs mins to develop. He’s not getting that in NY. I think Knicks only got him to use him as asset in a trade. He’d be good for Utah. But I think Houston or San Antonio is best place for him.