Could we grab Obi Toppin?

[liam]

I've read that the Knicks might not pick up his option but if we send them a couple of second round picks could we grab him with one of our exceptions? He's only 24 and he's a good open floor player.

[liam]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw3KjzFBPBQ

[Surferdad]

Per 36 of 17 and 8. How’s his defense?
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/toppiob01.html

[jambr380]

Do you mind posting where you saw that? Not that I don't believe you, but it would be a very strange decision for the Knicks to not pick up the $6M option for their mid-lottery pick who already showed signs of improving from year 1 to year 2.

If for whatever reason this is true, then the Knicks would seemingly just be happy clearing his contract off the books - no reason to send picks if they are just going to let him go anyway.

[ozgod]

I would be amazed if there was a chance we could get him for a couple of second round picks.

[liam]

Per 36 of 17 and 8. How’s his defense?
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/toppiob01.html

Not real good...

[liam]

Do you mind posting where you saw that? Not that I don't believe you, but it would be a very strange decision for the Knicks to not pick up the $6M option for their mid-lottery pick who already showed signs of improving from year 1 to year 2.

If for whatever reason this is true, then the Knicks would seemingly just be happy clearing his contract off the books - no reason to send picks if they are just going to let him go anyway.

I'll try and find it... It was a Knicks post... Maybe he's going to Utah...

https://hoopshype.com/player/obi-toppin/

[gouki88]

Per 36 of 17 and 8. How’s his defense?
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/toppiob01.html

Not real good...

No, it is not good

[Celtics2021]

It would be foolish if the Knicks to not pick up his option, and I would absolutely be in favor of acquiring him.  You don’t pick up a 6.9 net rating playing 1200 minutes for a lottery team if you aren’t actually a positive contributor on the court.  That number isn’t buttressed by his teammates, but rather the other way around.

I don’t know why the Knicks see him as a reserve on their team, to be honest, but if they’re ready to move on, he’s worth the tax hit and a second or two.

[Celtics2021]

Per 36 of 17 and 8. How’s his defense?
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/toppiob01.html

Not real good...

No, it is not good

I think it’d be fine here.  The Knicks had a 104 defensive rating when he played, and an 111.2 rating when he didn’t.  There’s obviously some lineup noise there, but if he could be part of good defenses on a bad defensive team, he can be part of good defenses on a good defensive team.

[gouki88]

He's sort of like the dollar shop John Collins. If the Knicks fumble and are willing to give him up for cheap, I'd be happy to acquire him.

[gouki88]

Per 36 of 17 and 8. How’s his defense?
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/toppiob01.html

Not real good...

No, it is not good

I think it’d be fine here.  The Knicks had a 104 defensive rating when he played, and an 111.2 rating when he didn’t.  There’s obviously some lineup noise there, but if he could be part of good defenses on a bad defensive team, he can be part of good defenses on a good defensive team.

I've no doubt he has the tools to be quite a solid defender. Athletic, long and decently tall.

[Atzar]

From a value standpoint I'd give up a couple of seconds to take a shot on a player like Toppin.  I feel like we don't have a spot for him, though.  I feel like he'd be stuck behind Grant and Gallo on the depth chart, possessing neither the lateral quickness and shooting to play on the wing next to them nor the size and interior presence to play as a nominal big.  So I feel like it'd be a solid deal for somebody, but perhaps not us.

[Celtics2021]

From a value standpoint I'd give up a couple of seconds to take a shot on a player like Toppin.  I feel like we don't have a spot for him, though.  I feel like he'd be stuck behind Grant and Gallo on the depth chart, possessing neither the lateral quickness and shooting to play on the wing next to them nor the size and interior presence to play as a nominal big.  So I feel like it'd be a solid deal for somebody, but perhaps not us.

This is probably true to an extent that he’d be a luxury m, but I think Toppin could handle some center minutes.  I can’t find the final stats, but heading into the last week of the season he was in the 92nd percentile for at rim defense.  He might not be a shot blocker, but good verticality technique can go a long way.

And the energy he plays with is terrific.  He’d be great to bring in when the Celtics get too slow in the half court.

[pokeKingCurtis]

He's sort of like the dollar shop John Collins. If the Knicks fumble and are willing to give him up for cheap, I'd be happy to acquire him.

I know I'll get slammed for this, but kind of moves like Ama're (very mechanical - but less athletic and shorter though).