Despite his tremendous All-NBA showing in 2022-23, some New York Knicks fans have suggested that the organization should consider selling off Julius Randle to open up the starting power forward slot for 2020 pick Obi Toppin.
But one GM told Heavy Sports NBA insider Sean Deveney that the idea may not be viable because his trade value is underwhelming, even with top-notch production (25.1 points, 10.0 rebounds per game).
“They are not in position to trade Randle because there’s no way to get value for him,” the executive said. “They have found a way to get him to be really productive with what they do. But that does not really translate to a lot of other teams. So that is always going to work against them if they were to move him. But they have not had those conversations in a long time, and he has three years left on the contract (the third year is a player option) so it is something where he is not going anywhere for a while.”
If the Knicks can’t trade Randle, it could be a blow to Toppin, who is eligible for a contract extension this offseason but who is behind Randle on the team’s depth chart.
Knicks Not Predicted to Extend Obi Toppin
Spotrac’s Keith Smith predicted that Obi Toppin would not wind up netting a new deal with the Knicks anytime soon, writing that the extension-eligible forward will enter the 2023-24 campaign riding out the remaining season of his rookie-scale deal with no guarantee beyond that in sight.
“Toppin’s career has been spent as a low-minute backup behind Julius Randle. There’s very much still a mystery box quality to his game. He’s flashed when given time, but those flashes aren’t extension-worthy … unless he’s traded ahead of the extension deadline,” Smith wrote in a June 5 story.
OBI TOPPIN EXCLAMATION POINT 🔥
Indeed, Toppin has “flashed” in limited starts. He’s posted stupendous per-game averages of 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 57.6% from the field and 44.0% from deep in his 15 starts during his three-year career.
It’s that “upside,” according to Forbes’ Morten Stig Jensen, that may prompt the Knicks to trade Toppin.
“Toppin’s offensive ability – when used accurately – would be a boon to many teams where elite playmaking is already established,” Jensen wrote in a story published May 22. “The Indiana Pacers could do much worse than trading for Toppin and pair him with Tyrese Haliburton. The same can be said of the Dallas Mavericks with Luka Dončić.”
Immanuel Quickley Being Eyed by Suns
Immanuel Quickley, Toppin’s fellow extension-eligible teammate, is more likely to get an extension from the Knicks, according to Smith. But there are rumblings that another team could look to swoop in and steal him away from the Big Apple.
Per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Phoenix Suns are eyeing Quickley in a potential trade as they look to fill out their point guard position if they part ways with Chris Paul.
“Phoenix does hold Knicks Sixth Man of the Year finalist Immanuel Quickley in high regard, sources told Yahoo Sports, dating back to Quickley’s entry in the 2020 NBA draft,” Fischer wrote in a June 9 story.
Immanuel Quickley has a career-high 38 PTS ‼️
Knicks lead by 3 with 2:05 left in 2OT
📺: Live on ESPN
Immanuel Quickley is coming off of a career-best campaign in 2022-23, posting impressive per-game averages of 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.0% from distance.
With his efforts, he finished second in the running behind Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon in the Sixth Man of the Year race.
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New Julius Randle Intel Casts Doubt Over Obi Toppin’s Future With Knicks