T.J. McConnell
A midseason surgery limited McConnell to just 27 games in 2021-22. He still looked every but himself when he was available.
McConnell is a game-managing point guard who makes good decisions. He’s also a pest on the defensive end. His career average of 1.7 steals per 75 possessions tells you that he’s got a knack for taking the rock.
More than anything, he just feels like a Tom Thibodeau player. The New York Knicks’ skipper is a notorious stickler for defensive effort. He probably won’t mind McConnell’s subpar three-point shooting (he’s a career 32.7% shooter). His efforts in terms of point prevention will outweigh those concerns for Thibs.
All told, he should fit into the Knicks’ culture and system perfectly. If the Knicks are looking to win next season, a swap involving Toppin and McConnell might get them there.
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He’s not the most ambitious target, but Toppin profiles as a defensive-minded role player moving forward. Some of the other targets you’ll find on this list would probably require him to be part of a larger package.