Restricted free agent Pacers power forward Obi Toppin intends to sign a four-year, $60MM contract to stay in Indiana, sources inform Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
As Wojnarowski notes, the 6’9″ Dayton alum emerged as a critical bench contributor for a Pacers club that advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference finals this past spring for the first time in a decade.
The eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft, Toppin was traded from New York to Indiana a year ago in exchange for a pair of second-round picks after he spent his first three professional seasons with the Knicks. In his first year as a Pacer, the 26-year-old set new career highs in points (10.3), rebounds (3.9), and assists (1.6) per game, as well as field goal percentage (57.3%) and three-point percentage (40.3%).
With tentative deals in place for Pascal Siakam (four years, maximum salary) and Toppin, the Pacers’ team salary for 2024/25 projects to be about $6.4MM below the luxury tax line with at least two roster spots still to be filled, tweets cap expert Yossi Gozlan.
While it’s technically possible for the Pacers to use their full mid-level exception and stay below the first tax apron, doing so would make them a taxpayer, so that’s unlikely. It also remains to be seen whether the team will have room under the tax to bring back free agent big man Jalen Smith on a new deal after he opted out of his contract on Saturday. Of course, a cost-cutting move to create additional spending flexibility is always a possibility.
Toppin had been the No. 27 player on our list of this summer’s top 50 free agents.
They got Obi on a cheap deal.
Cheap, I’m not sure about that when healthy Mitchell Robinson got the same deal and is a better player.
Who is healthy Mitchell Robinson?
obi put up the same #s as patrick williams who just signed for $90 mil so yea indy got a very cheap deal for a very good role player who helped them to the ECF
Thats a good deal, not too high not too low, just about right
Great signing, he’s a good placeholder who fits the culture and style of play, gets along with the franchise player, and the palatable price of the contract will be a big help if/when a trade becomes available. Before this deal, Myles was the only Pacers contract between 11 mill and 42 mill.
Are they going to develop Jarace Walker?
Siakam is the for sure starter, Toppin is 6th man like.
Mathurin will be back and Neismith looked solid.
nice deal bringing obi back. big part of indy’s ECF run
any chance he takes over C when myles contract expires?
Obi Obi Obi that’s what I am talking about. You’ve come a long way. Good Job.