Rose thought he was a drafting a player who would soon supplant Randle as a starter when he used his 2020 lottery pick on power forward Obi Toppin, instead of a much-needed point guard.
Toppin?s rookie year can be summed up this way: He?s a good dunker, good enough to earn a Slam Dunk competition appearance. But that?s where it ends. Toppin, who has not been nearly as productive as anticipated, won?t be named to the Rising Stars Challenge roster.
Toppin even got benched Saturday for Kevin Knox as the small-ball power forward in the first half after Taj Gibson sprained his ankle. Toppin played just six minutes.
Rookie point guard Tyrese Haliburton, taken 12th and shining with the Kings, wasn?t high on Rose?s board when he picked Toppin.
Fortunately, Rose got another crack in the 2020 draft, because Perry had traded Marcus Morris 12 months ago to the Clippers for a late first-round pick. To his credit, Rose had vast Kentucky intel to make him comfortable grabbing Immanuel Quickley, when most teams had him slotted lower.
One of Rose?s few additions was a trade for point guard Derrick Rose, but that was more the president acquiescing to his head coach?s wishes. In a great stat, Thibodeau?s winning percentage with Rose on the roster is 63 percent. Without Rose, it?s 46 percent. Rose notched four steals Saturday.
Berman - NYP
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