New York passed Tyrese Haliburton in the October’s draft as they selected Obi Toppin at the 8th pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.
Haliburton dropped to no. 12 and the Kings did not waste the chance to pick him up. After the Knicks’ win over Sacramento, head coach Tom Thibodeau was asked about the young guard out of Iowa State.
“He has been terrific for them,’’ Thibodeau said. “Very talented, gifted. Plays multiple positions, can shoot the ball. Good size. Can get into the paint. He’s having a very good season for them.’’
Haliburton averages 13.2 points, 5.4 assists and 3.6 rebounds on 30.1 minutes per game. He put up 17 coming off the bench against the Knicks on Thursday.
On the other hand, Obi Toppin had only three points and three rebounds in 17 minutes of play in a Knicks’ blowout win. In his defense, Toppin lost momentum with an injury early in the season
However, his team won on Thursday’s matchup and that’s the most important part of the game in the NBA as the Kings lost their 9th straight outing.