Knicks pick up options on Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes
New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) celebrates with Obi Toppin, near Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in New York. Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
It was hardly a surprise, but the Knicks announced Wednesday afternoon that the team had picked up the fourth-year options for Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley as well as the third-year option for Quentin Grimes. And while it may have been a formality it was another step forward for the trio who represent the first-round picks of the current front office.
Toppin and Quickley already have become important rotation pieces and as soon as Grimes recovers from a left foot, he is expected to be a big part of the what the team does this season.
“They’re very deserving,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “So obviously glad to see that, a byproduct of their hard work. I know they’ll continue to work the way they’ve been working. And when you have that, I think they’ll continue to improve, so I’m very pleased with them.”
They still are not starters as a team might like for first-round picks, particularly a lottery pick like Toppin. But they are expected to spearhead a second unit. Toppin, in particular, is a divisive issue among the fan base as his minutes are blocked by Julius Randle in front of him and restricted by Thibodeau's desire for a true rim protector like Mitchell Robinson or Isaiah Hartenstein at center.
“It'll work itself out,” Thibodeau said. “Some games will be more and Julius will play a little less, and that's what I like about the team. Obviously, you have a finite amount of minutes for everyone, so how do you balance that? Performance, something's going good, so you're going to ride that a little bit longer. The willingness of everybody to sacrifice for the team and put the team first, I think that's a big part of winning.”
Toppin is not only never one to sulk, but he has provided constant energy to the team. Thibodeau has spoken about how even practice sessions brighten when he walks in the room. Asked earlier this week if he ever gets tired, Toppin just laughed.
“Nah, I don’t,” Toppin said. “I’m an Energizer bunny. I just keep it going . . . I don’t ever get tired. I mean, I do. I just don't show it. I gotta fight through it. But nah, I’m just kidding.”
If you can imagine that quote in real time, frenetic energy going back and forth and by the end you don’t really know for sure if he is kidding — but you can be pretty sure he does not get tired when he’s inside the walls of Madison Square Garden.
He did note that he does sleep — although with two young children that isn’t easy at times. But no matter how the kids may interrupt his sleep, it doesn’t show at game time.
“We emphasize it this year, playing fast,” Toppin said. “We’re young. We got legs. We’re just going to keep running up and down the court and make sure the other team gets tired before us.”
“Yeah I think it’s great,” Thibodeau said. “ . . . So just play the right way, the game will tell you what to do. If you’re open, shoot. If you’re guarded, make a play for your teammate. If you cut, we have big guys that are willing to make the extra pass. Make the effort to put pressure on the rim. Force the defense to collapse. We have Isaiah who can play away from the basket. Gives us a different look. Opens things up that way. Obi beats people down the floor, can play in and out. Julius, we’re receiving all sorts of versatility from him. And I think that’s a huge plus for us."
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
