The New York Knicks hoped Obi Toppin would be their franchise cornerstone when they selected him with the No. 8 pick in the NBA draft.
It’s been four full seasons after that, which means Toppin is entering free agency for the first time in his career—and by way of Indiana, not Manhattan.
Seen as a (very) one-dimensional player and someone only capable of being stationed in the corner, Toppin had his days numbered in New York while Tom Thibodeau remained on the sidelines. To his demise, Thibs’ sublime reign since landing in New York saw Toppin hopping on a plane destination Indianapolis.