Obi Toppin, Tom Thibodeau, and why the Knicks had to move on

The Knicks can’t keep wasting young talent.

Watching Obi Toppin drill big threes and make hustle plays for the Pacers in the Finals last night brought back a familiar frustration: Tom Thibodeau never figured out how to use him effectively in New York.

Drafted eighth by the Knicks in 2020, Toppin had the promise to be more than a backup to Julius Randle. He brought energy, athleticism, and a fast-paced dimension the Knicks lacked. He even won the slam dunk title, for Pete’s sake. But under Thibs, minutes were earned through veteran deference, not exploration. Toppin sat. So did other young players. And so the Knicks lost an asset with upside because the coach wouldn’t adapt.

That same rigidity is why it was time for the Knicks to move on after their Eastern Conference Finals exit. We celebrate Thibs for changing the culture and leading our heroes back to respectability, but his limitations—particularly his aversion to developing young players—kept the ceiling lower than it needed to be.

New York has three promising talents right now: Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, and Ariel Hukporti. Under Thibs, none of those rookies but Huk saw meaningful minutes last season—and Huk only played because Mitchell Robinson was recovering from surgery.

Kolek can pass like the second coming of John Stockton but requires NBA reps to improve his defense and gain confidence in his shooting. Dadiet’s a French-flavored hunk of talented clay who needs a gifted set of hands to mold him. Hukporti is a massive shot-swatter who moves well and has a baby hook that can become a dangerous weapon. A meniscus injury sidelined the latter for the second half of the season, but in limited time, he convinced me that he’s a solid rotational player.

To not develop these three guys is a waste of both potential and team-building flexibility. With a deep, veteran-heavy roster, it’s easy to rationalize short-term conservatism, but smart franchises know that internal growth is the key to sustainability. The Knicks need a coach who’s willing to mix in youth with experience, and not just when injuries force his hand.

Former Memphis Grizzlies skipper Taylor Jenkins will interview with the Knicks next week and is considered one of the leading candidates to replace Thibs, league sources told The Athletic. Jenkins posted a 250–214 record over six seasons in Memphis. While the Grizzlies were a consistent regular-season team, they advanced past the first round only once during his tenure. The 40-year-old was dismissed just before the end of the regular season.

Still, Jenkins should be at the top of New York’s list. Despite a bit of player-generated drama, the coach built a winning culture in Memphis grounded in youth, pace, and accountability—empowering players like Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, Jr., and Ja Morant from the jump. That’s the kind of approach the Knicks need. With Jenkins, young talents like Kolek, Dadiet, and Hukporti might finally get more than garbage-time scraps—they might get a real shot to contribute to winning basketball.

Toppin’s resurgence in Indiana is a reminder of what New York lost—not just a player, but a chance to grow. This time, the Knicks can’t afford to make the same mistake.