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The New York Knicks made the first deal of Draft Day, trading picks 27 and 38 to the Utah Jazz for
Moving up four spots to No. 23 strengthens the Knicks ability to package that and No. 8 to target a pick/player above them on the board tonight. https://t.co/pVq8xKr8HN
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 18, 2020
And just like that the floodgates opened up, and pretty much every beat writer was reporting that the Knicks were interested in trading up to the No. 5 spot, currently held by the Cleveland Cavaliers, in order to select forward Obi Toppin.
Have heard the same as Marc- 5th pick is the target, probably for Toppin, but also a lot of moving pieces right now. As I’m sure every team is today, Knicks are involved in a lot of conversations, including for vets. Don’t think they’re out of the Russ sweepstakes just yet either https://t.co/ktYyALvFSf
— Jonathan Macri (@JCMacriNBA) November 18, 2020
"According to league sources, the Knicks are making a serious attempt to move up in the lottery," per @JeremyWoo
— Knicks Film School (@KnickSchool) November 18, 2020
“Keep an eye on Obi Toppin. I’m told there is also significant traction for Vassell within New York’s front office”https://t.co/T2t04bza4c
On the Knicks potentially trading up in the lottery:
— Knicks Film School (@KnickSchool) November 18, 2020
“Some in the organization are fans of Obi Toppin and Tyrese Haliburton — two players who could be selected ahead of No. 8 (though opinion on Haliburton is not uniform),” per @IanBegley
Yep, already buzz out that that the Knicks are trying to move up to 5 or 6 with 8 and 23
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) November 18, 2020
There’s a chance that Toppin falls to the Knicks at No. 8, but perhaps president Leon Rose and crew are not willing to risk it.
Here’s Stingy’s Know the Prospect profile on Toppin. He’s not a fan. Neither am I. The dude is 22 years old and his defense is beyond butt.
Oh, and by the way, it turns out Toppin is represented by Leon Rose’s son.
Part of Obi’s CAA team is Sam Rose, the son of the #Knicks president. https://t.co/TeVXXQENmk
— alder almo (@alderalmo) November 18, 2020
Here’s a nice quote that could probably also have come from Isiah Thomas after he acquired Eddy Curry:
"Nobody seems overly alarmed with the defensive question marks, they're so blown away by his offensive projection"@NBADraftWass and @IanBegley break down Obi Toppin's game - could the Knicks make a move up for the Dayton forward? pic.twitter.com/ZdYqTaJmQ0
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 18, 2020
Anyway, we’ll see soon enough. Hold onto your butts, Knicks fans.