Obi Toppin, the New York Knick third-year, was described as “situational” after changing into game-day attire. But in what situation would he return to the ground?
His minutes into his junior campaign are already under scrutiny… the eighth overall pick played just 17 minutes a game before being sidelined on December 7 with a knee injury… Toppin is now addressing trade rumors that could add to the Knicks’ already packed first-round pick cabinet. But the immediate concern becomes what the Knicks will do with him in the meantime.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau hinted ahead of Toppin’s return to the active squad against San Antonio on Wednesday that the team would “speed up” in training before giving him consistent minutes. But Thibodeau also hinted he could take his time when it comes to bringing someone back into the nine-man rotation, even if it’s the top-eight pick in their third year.
“We have a nine-man rotation and we could have an injury; we could have problems; we could get sick. It has to be fluid. But the most important thing is that the team is playing well, so if the team is playing well, we can’t sacrifice that,” Thibodeau said, per SNY. “The team has to come first. Everyone has to sacrifice themselves for the team… for some guys it’s starting; some guys it’s shots; some guys might not be in the rotation . But things can change very quickly.”
According to Thibodeau, the Knicks (22-18) are 10-5 since Toppin left in the win over Atlanta on Dec. 7 after a clash with Aaron Holiday and are currently on a four-game winning streak, the longest in the Eastern Conference. His evolving rotations have at least an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” approach, but any toppin reintroduction would instantly take a backseat if and when RJ Barrett (ripped finger) is able to return.
While former exiles like Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose have made sporadic appearances in recent New York gigs (insertions due to injuries to Barrett and Jalen Brunson), Cam Reddish remains stuck on the bench. Isaiah Hartenstein and Jericho Sims spelled Mitchell Robinson into the mail, effectively taking over Toppin’s protocol.
Of course, that will only lend further credence to the notion that Toppin’s days in New York are numbered. The Indiana Pacers have reportedly expressed interest and they have the desired additional premier picks that the Knicks have reportedly wanted in order to pursue a genuine, established superstar. Unless Toppin sees an immediate uptrend in a few minutes, his status and outlook will remain a question as the Association nears the one-month mark before the Feb. 9 close.
Meanwhile, Toppin and the Knicks return to Madison Square Garden Monday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
Into the garden and beyond! To get Your Knicks game tickets from SI Tickets…here!
Want the latest news and inside information about the Knicks? Click here.
Follow AllKnicks.com on Twitter.
