The New York Knicks have held high expectations for what Obi Toppin can achieve since selecting him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Toppin displayed progression during his sophomore campaign averaging 9.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 17.1 minutes per game.
Given that Toppin is set to be already 25 years old next March, seeing more sooner rather than later would be preferred. At the time of drafting him, it was unforeseen for the Knicks to have Randle and a Second-Team All-NBA campaign ahead on the depth chart.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Toppin could be primed for an increased role featuring a ‘significant minutes increase’ this season, based on conversations with various members of the Knicks coaching staff.
“I’ve heard that members of the coaching staff think Obi Toppin’s role could increase,” Begley said. “That’s a natural progression after Toppin’s play at the end of last season. But I didn’t get the sense that what I mentioned above on Toppin meant that he will certainly get a significant minutes increase this season”
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For the Knicks to give Toppin a ‘significant minutes increase’ during the upcoming season, it would require a few potential scenarios: (1.) Julius Randle plays more at the five. (2.) Randle plays fewer minutes altogether. (3.) The Knicks trade Randle.
It remains unlikely that Randle is traded, considering the unappealing nature of the four-year, $117.1 million contract he’s beginning this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Obi Toppin, Julius Randle & New York Knicks Updates
At some point, the Knicks will surely need to make a bold decision at Julius Randle’s expense if they are to embrace Obi Toppin playing a more significant role. It’s just a matter of what specifically.
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