Left Behind: Jacob Toppin Seeks New York Knicks Roster Spot, Separation From Obi

Jacob Toppin made his unofficial New York Knicks debut on Monday, three months after his brother Obi was traded to the Indiana Pacers.

The more things change for the New York Knicks, the more they stay the same: another season has arrived and observers have taken great interest in the playing time of a Manhattanite with the surname of "Toppin."

The Obi Toppin drama, however, has ended. In its place is a smaller debate, one meant to help Knicks observers while away the hours until the 2023-24 season tips off on Oct. 25. 

Left behind in New York in the wake of the Obi trade is his brother Jacob, an undrafted rookie out of Kentucky signed just two weeks before his elder sibling was traded to the Indiana Pacers. The younger Toppin is in the midst of a battle at the outskirts of the Knicks' roster, one that includes fringe veterans, Summer League stars, and potential Westchester contributors.

Little more needs to be said about the "Obi gone" saga, one that saw the reserve power forward struggle to create minutes after arriving as the eighth overall pick of the 2020 draft. Jacob apparently wants to keep it that way, claiming that the only thing that he and Obi share on the floor is their height (6-9) the name on the back of their jerseys.

Jacob Toppin (L) played 10 minutes in Monday's preseason opener / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

“We’re two different people,” Toppin said, per Steve Popper of Newsday. “Obviously, we’re going to be different players. I feel like I could bring a lot defensively. I think I could guard multiple positions. I’m just very versatile on that side. Obviously, whatever the team needs me to do, I’m going do.” 

Head coach Tom Thibodeau concurred in the same report.

"Obi is probably a little more athletic, but (Jacob's) athletic as well," Thibodeau said. "Obi is probably a little more gifted right now, further down the road offensively. But Jacob is a good defensive player right now.”

Nearly 20 pounds lighter than Obi, Jacob likely won't be able to fill the void behind Julius Randle on the Knicks' depth chart. If he's going to make the roster, it'll likely be his lengthy endeavors at the top of the key that seal his metropolitan fate.

True to his word, Jacob impressed defensively in the Knicks' preseason debut on Monday night, earning two blocks and rebounds each in a 114-107 victory over the Boston Celtics. Jacob, who played just under 10 minutes, also had four points, the latter two sealing the Knicks' deal on a show-stopping alley-oop from Miles McBride in the penultimate minute.

One exhibition, however, is far from enough to secure a roster spot: the fringe roster battle has numerous candidates but only one spot is available for the time being (it could move to three with Isaiah Roby and Duane Washington Jr. on non-guaranteed deals). The next opportunity to impress lands on Saturday night when the Knicks welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). 

Jacob has no intentions of letting up, even with a solid start to the preseason.

"I just take it as every day I have to come in, I have to perform in everything that I do and give 100 percent," Toppin said of his uphill battle to join the Knicks on opening night. "We have a great group of guys not just on the court but off the court, as well."

"I’m getting close with a lot of guys, but at the end of the day, there are three roster spots, so I’m working for one, so I’m going to just continue to work.”