3 Obi Toppin trades the Knicks need to consider this offseason
The New York Knicks offseason is underway and it seems like this could be an exciting one for the Knicks. Not only are they coming off of their first second-round playoff appearance since 2013, but how they lost should force Leon Rose to make some moves to improve the team.
One of the players that seems more likely to get traded than others is forward Obi Toppin. Since being drafted, the talents Toppin has have been very apparent, however, he has not been used properly on offense.
That, combined with his lack of defense, simply makes him a bad fit for what the Knicks are trying to put out on the floor every night. Fans would like to see Toppin stick around, but the odds of this happening aren’t in his favor.
3 trades centered around Obi Toppin the Knicks should consider
Trade #3: Sending Obi Toppin off for a veteran sharpshooter
This is a trade we’ve suggested several times in the past and it makes sense for both sides. Not only are the Knicks getting some much-needed three-point shooting, but the other team involved is getting an exciting power forward to pair with their star guard.
Knicks Get
Buddy Hield
Pacers Get
Obi Toppin
Evan Fournier
2024 first-round pick via DAL
The Pacers are in an incredibly weird spot right now. While they should be in a position to rebuild, they still have several veterans that should be nowhere near that sort of team. Who knows if their actual intentions are to tear down and start over or not. However, if they do rebuild, the Knicks should jump on the opportunity to get a player like Buddy Hield.
Hield would fit perfectly with the Knicks while providing some all-time three-point shooting. Last season, the Knicks ranked 19th in three-point percentage and when it came time for the playoffs they became even worse in that aspect. Adding a player who just shot 42.5% from three on 8.5 attempts is exactly how to improve this stat.
For the Pacers, they can come closer to entering a rebuilding stage by not only acquiring a perfect fitting power forward next to Tyrese Haliburton, but they are also gaining a contract they can shed at the end of the year along with a first-round pick.
The price may not be cheap, but this honestly may be lowballing the Pacers a bit. However, considering that Hield has one year left on his deal, this sort of value should suffice for his services.
