JULY 7: The trade is official, the Knicks announced today in a press release (Twitter link). Toppin has been traded into the Pacers’ cap room in exchange for the two second-round picks described below.
JULY 6: The Knicks will receive either the Suns’ or Pacers’ 2028 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable) and either the Pacers’ or Wizards’ 2029 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable) for Toppin, reports Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (Twitter link).
JULY 1: The Knicks and Pacers are finalizing a trade that will send forward Obi Toppin to Indiana, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Wojnarowski, the Knicks will acquire a pair of second-round picks in exchange for Toppin, who was the eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft.
Marc Stein and Ian Begley of SNY.tv reported prior to free agency that the Pacers were talking to the Knicks about Toppin and had emerged as the leading candidate to land him. It’s a logical fit, since Indiana has the cap room necessary to acquire the 25-year-old’s $6.8MM expiring contract without sending out any salary and has been in the market for another power forward.
While lottery pick Jarace Walker figures to see minutes for the Pacers as a rookie, Toppin should have an opportunity to play a bigger role in Indiana than he did in New York, where he spent the majority of his first three NBA seasons backing up Julius Randle.
In 139 games for the Knicks since the start of 2021/22, Toppin has averaged 8.2 PPG and 3.3 RPG on .491/.329/.772 shooting in 139 games (16.4 MPG). He’ll be eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason, or restricted free agency in 2024 if he doesn’t sign a new deal before then.
It’s a somewhat disappointing outcome for the Knicks, whose lottery pick from three years ago will now turn into a pair of second-rounders. However, the move will help create some additional spending flexibility below the tax apron for the club, potentially opening up the full mid-level exception. It’ll also generate a $6.8MM trade exception and contribute a couple more draft assets to New York’s ever-growing stash.
Never used him right. Should have been more important in the Heat series as a smallball 5
Interesting for Indiana. Another option at smallball 5, and I also think he can play with Turner and their shooters and fit strongly
They have a lot of talent there though
I think both Obi & Jarace Walker are much better suited to playing the 4 tbh. Myles & Isaiah Jackson should be able to hold down the 5. But yeah I agree they got a nice squad there. Ben Mathurin is gonna be the key to becoming 1 of the best teams in the East
Ya, like I said, they have a lot of versatility and shooting. They even got rid of Duarte for nothing b/c of having so many guys
Toppin always reminded me of Amare. He can play 4 next to the right guys, but I like him at the 5 too. As you said though, they have multiple guys at those spots
Haliburton to Toppin is gonna be exciting fr this guy just needed a pg that knows how to unlock him
Obi Toppin definitely need a change of scenery because he was in Tom Thibodeau dog house.
Obi Toppin should be the starting Power Forward for the Indiana Pacers.
Don’t sleep on Jarace Walker tho
Yeah, passing on Haliburton really looks good now. Sorry to see the kid go, but he was never the pick that should’ve been made.
Bad pick, bad fit, bad asset management. A disaster from start to finish. Glad he will get a chance at consistent playing time now.
Fine pick but the worse use of a player ever. How many times did he pick and roll? He was a spot up 3 point shooter for Thibs.
Thanks god Obi is out of there. Pacer could be sneaky fun to watch and they have the right rim protector to help his defensive shortcomings. Could be a really good fit.
Not true ……. They made the pick with Thibs blessing. Cause they were ready to move on from Randle. Then Randle became an all star. Randle is the new Jimmy for Thibs. He’s all about work and commitment. Thibs loves him. For the fans, he’s more a drama Queen. Best thing for Obi to move on. With Halliburton he can be an all star. We got Jalen. We will move forward ……
You’re delusional. Haliburton just got signed for an astronomical amount and is currently a star. See his numbers lately? His defense? We NEEDED a point guard at that time. Had no one. The picks ahead gifted him to us.
And Obi? Two second round draft picks. That’s what we have to show for it.
And why was he traded? The same guy who blessed his pick wanted him gone after their altercation.
I’m the guy who told this board about Haliburton. Genius …. when will you learn who you are talking to.
I had him as next great PG since his first yr in college. I know The point very well lol.
Yes he was there for us. But everyone in NY knew Randle was gone.
You may not believe this. But fans don’t draft or sign players. They just opine like you. Some of us actually stay ahead of the meter. Cause of knowledge of the gm and knowledge of our team. And try and ride their decisions.
Obi came here cause he was a top two pick. He dropped so it was an easy pick. Since Randle was being shopped. Then he had best yr of career. Had a generational yr innNBA. Won Thibs over. So the rest is history. Please catch up and stop with the whining. I got too much for you. When will you learn. Jalen is here Obi is gone. So be gone too.
So you are the one who brought cocaine to the White House because you are high AF.
Imagine where the Knicks would be right now had they made the two easiest draft decisions they’ve ever had: Michael Porter Jr. Instead of Kevin Knox, and Tyrese Halliburton instead of Obi Toppin.
Why …. One with a bad back. And we rather have Jalen. Imagine where you’d be if you lived in reality !!!!!
Don’t forget Mitchell. He was the closest to actually being drafted of the three.
Lol a top 10 pick and they turned it into a pair of 2nd rd picks.
To play devil’s advocate, one of those seconds could turn into a player like Jokic. Another second rounder, Claxton, could be a key piece in a trade for Dame.
You’re technically right, but that’s like saying that any given sixth round pick in the NFL could turn into Tom Brady.
It’s definitely possible, but more than likely those second rounders turn into a low-level role player or a two-way guy.
Yeah says the Genius who turned first pick of draft (Tatum) into Fultz then into Simmons , 2020 OKC protected #1 pick, and 2nd rd pick. Which they used in a traded for Harden ….
Not that’s GENIUS lol
link to nba.com
Sounds like the dallas pick next year….
And 6.5 mill trade exception. And money to sign Donte. Dude ……. seriously. you want to get taken seriously. Then read and inform yourself. Before you post and make a Mule of yourself.
Why would anyone who likes ball. Or Obi. Want him to stay on the bench when his contract is up. Knicks are doing him a favor. Wake up and smell the Schuylkill River Lol.
Happy for him. The Knicks should’ve never drafted him that year. Smh.
Yeah. The dude they should have drafted is also on the pacers now.
While Haliburton would hVe been the better pick I think Obi was a fine selection, just miscast in his role on the Knicks.
I’m excited for Obi. Stuck on Thibs team, he’s never been used properly or consistently enough to shape his game. Dude is athletic and can shoot. Carlisle will show the Knicks how to use him.
Man, thats sad. I really like Obi and I really think he can become a good starting 4, but yeah that would never happen in NY.
think you ment send toppin to Indiana
Think you ment meant*
nice one thanks
I realize this is obvious once you take a minute to think but did confuse me at first… finalizing a trade to send him to Indiana not “to New York” lol
Pacers having a nice free agency.
Knicks are back!
Major Market comment thread
Obi Toppin needs more minutes
Wasn’t Toppin supposed to be the centrepiece for a Giannis trade? Or was that Knox? Or Mitch? I always forget all the crap Knicks fans say
This is your only input on every Knicks post. You washed
What Knick fans were those ????
Never new we wanted Giannis.
Always hilarious to see people complaining over and over about things Knicks fan never said.
Damn, Toppin is a nice young player, and they don’t really have a backup big. He must have pissed someone off for that deal
He did. Thibs.
Pacers are collecting those 2020 lottery picks: Toppin (8), J. Smith (10), Haliburton (12), Nesmith (14)
But we had all been reminded repeatedly that Toppin was worth 1stS
Good for Toppin. He was a good teammate for 3 years in a less than ideal situation. Wish him well. He was ready to leave (he wasn’t at the deadline).
It’s odd only because he’s in the rotation, if only for backup minutes, and we really don’t have an obvious replacement for his minutes on the roster right now. We could have waited out the summer for just the two SRPs. Doing it now helps him. No benefit to team, other than we get to do it into cap space (which might not be available later). We can now use full MLE and BAE and stay well below the tax line, and of course get the TPE (but it’s only 6.8 mm).
They got Obi1 cheap 2 second rd picks.
It’s a steal for Pacers. Wish him the best.
Obi’s D does need to improve. But you can’t improve that on the bench. Whit Haliburton he’ll be a 20 pt player easy. Go get ‘em Obi
link to empiresportsmedia.com
Should of traded Randle, Barrett and picks for Bridges on the Nets. Keeping Randle is a HUGE MISTAKE!!!!
Knicks fans: We don’t Randle!!!!
Also Knicks fans: Everyone else should covet Randle!!!!!
So true. And I’m a Knicks fan.
I don’t think Dame comes to NY. Although both teams can offer more than Heat. Dame fits the Heat imo. He’s perfect with Bam n Jimmy. Opening up more money, moving Obi now. Can only mean Knicks are working on something.
I’m thinking Paul George talks are getting serious. Not sure how I feel about it yet !!!
Two 2nds is nothing. Good move for the Pacers. Obi has the skills to be a solid starter in the league.
Walker and Toppin are solid young PF. One is more O. The other is more D. Indiana is doing well this trade season.
Huge breakout candidate and perfect spot for him. Tyrese is a great playmaker, Myles Turner spaces the floor.
I’m predicting he finishes the season averaging
17-7-2
Tough shall not start any argument with Thibs.
Diddling all of your draft picks away sure makes for a boring offseason.
Classic Thibs, hope this dude thrives in Indy.
Horrible pick, even worse trade. Could and should have taken Halliburton.
Obi Toppin has averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 15 games as a starter in his career.
Per 36 mins – even with Knicks. Where he is not a top option. His numbers are solid.
link to basketball-reference.com
So he has the potential to be an all star with Haliburton. Just needs to improve his D. Which you do. When you play consistent mins. Pacers got a steal ……..
Wish you the best Obi1 …..
Celtics aren’t in the Central
Obi1 — starting PF for Indiana Pacers
Knicks get — 2 second rd picks.
And a 6.5 million dollar Trade Exception
And have the cap space to sign Donte DiVincenso ….
I’d say Knicks did just fine. And so did Pacers. Only haters see the bad side in everything. No one has a Time Machine to go back and see how dumb your takes are. We got Jalen (an all star) instead of Haliburton. We got Donte, a TE (6.5 mill), two 2nd rd picks instead of Obi1. Who in their right mind would rather go back in time now.
This is the year the Knicks challenge for the East ….. SOOoooooooooooo don’t get lost.
Or better yet …. Go back in Time and keep hating ……
Thibs is hard coach to play for once you’re in his doghouse, you might as well ask for a trade. I like Obi more than RJ Barrett
Toppin’s ceiling is Blake Griffin toward the end of his Clippers career. He’ll have his fair share of competition for playing time though.