The New York Knicks have been impressed by what they have seen from former Dayton high-flyer Obi Toppin and have agreed to pick up Toppin’s fourth-year option, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Toppin is going into his third season with the Knicks and has become a consistent producer for the team off the bench. So far this season, Toppin’s averages across all statistical categories have gone up compared to last year. Toppin is averaging 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from deep.
The Knicks likely re-signed Toppin due to his durability; the former Dayton Flyer has missed 30 games over his three-year career. He missed 20 games as a rookie due to a calf strain and 10 games last season due to various injuries.
New York made a few key moves this summer, highlighting a great deal of urgency within the organization to make the playoffs again.
It’s also clear that they have faith in their young talent to develop and are looking to build a team centered around free agent acquisition Jalen Brunson and young, athletic, two-way studs. Another move they made this summer was re-signing RJ Barrett to a four-year rookie extension that’ll pay Barrett approximately $120 million. Then finally, this past January, the Knicks went out and got a sharpshooter and one of Barrett’s best friends Cam Reddish from the Atlanta Hawks before the All-Star break.
Just looking at what the Knicks’ did, making sure their young talent sticks together and combining it with the veteran leadership of Derrick Rose, Julius Randle, Evan Fournier, and Coach Thibodeau, this team most definitely has a shot at being a playoff contender at the end of the season.
With all these positive developments, definitely make sure you keep a keen eye on how the Knicks perform as the season progresses.
