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Knicks Trade Obi Toppin To Pacers

July 7th, 2023 at 2:32pm CST by Luke Adams

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.

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Jaylen Martin's Two-Year Deal Covers Two Years

July 7th, 2023 at 7:24am CST by Luke Adams
  • A pair of two-way contracts that have been signed early in the 2023/24 league year will cover two seasons instead of just one. Craig Porter‘s deal with the Cavaliers and Jaylen Martin‘s agreement with the Knicks are each for two years, per Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter links).
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Knicks Sign Jacob Toppin To Exhibit 10 Deal

July 6th, 2023 at 4:52pm CST by Luke Adams

JULY 6: Toppin has officially signed with the Knicks, the team announced today (via Twitter).

According to Fred Katz of The Athletic (Twitter link), Toppin ended up signing an Exhibit 10 contract instead of a two-way deal. He’ll receive up to $75K if he’s waived before the start of the season and spends at least two months with the Westchester Knicks in the G League.

JUNE 23: The Knicks have reached an agreement to sign former Kentucky forward Jacob Toppin to a two-way contract, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).

Toppin, who went undrafted on Thursday, is the younger brother of Obi Toppin.

Jacob averaged a career-best 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for the Wildcats as a senior in 2022/23, earning a starting role and averaging 31.4 MPG in 33 appearances. Obi, meanwhile, is entering a potential contract year in ’23/24 and his future in New York appears somewhat up in the air.

Trevor Keels and Duane Washington finished this past season as the Knicks’ two-way players, but neither one is under contract for ’23/24, so it’s possible the club could bring in two new players in addition to Toppin to fill its two-way slots for next season. Teams will be permitted to carry three two way players instead of just two for the first time this offseason.

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Knicks Rumors: George, Barrett, Hart, Embiid, Roby, Quickley

July 6th, 2023 at 12:28pm CST by Rory Maher

On June 22, the night of last month’s draft, the Knicks contemplated sending the Clippers a trade package that featured Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier and three first-round picks in exchange for star forward Paul George, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

When New York later agreed to trade Toppin to the Pacers for a couple second-rounders, the Clippers briefly brought up RJ Barrett to take his place in the aforementioned trade framework, says Scotto. The Knicks balked at that proposal, believing the asking was price too steep for George, who will make $45.64MM in 2023/24 and is eligible for an extension this offseason, per Scotto.

The Knicks control multiple protected first-round picks from other teams, so it’s unclear whether the first-rounders Scotto mentioned were protected in some fashion or were their own unprotected picks. Either way, apparently the talks didn’t advance.

Still, the Knicks remain on the lookout for a third star to complement Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, according to Scotto.

Here’s more on the Knicks:

  • According to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, Josh Hart will sign a long-term extension with the Knicks in August once he becomes eligible. His maximum extension number would be $81MM over four years, and Begley hears the veteran wing will receive “slightly less” than that figure. It seems highly likely that Hart exercised his player option in order to give the team more financial flexibility in free agency, with a handshake agreement on an extension.
  • Begley hears from sources who say the Knicks haven’t budged on their asking prices for star players on the trade market, including Damian Lillard and James Harden, and both players are unlikely to wind up in New York. Like Zach Lowe of ESPN, Begley continues to hear the Knicks might be eyeing Joel Embiid in the future.
  • Prior to using their mid-level exception to sign Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks were interested in several unrestricted free agents, including Bruce Brown, Max Strus and Yuta Watanabe, Scotto states. Brown signed with the Pacers; Strus landed in Cleveland via sign-and-trade; and Watanabe signed with Phoenix.
  • Losing Toppin means New York has rotation minutes available at backup power forward. Scotto hears Isaiah Roby will be given an opportunity to win the job, with Hart an option in small-ball lineups. Roby signed with the Knicks on the last day of the ’22/23 regular season, receiving a significant upfront payment ($400K) that suggested he could be in the team’s future plans.
  • Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Immanuel Quickley‘s floor in a rookie scale extension is expected to be $20MM annually, and Scotto’s sources say the Knicks would consider a deal in that range. However, if the two sides don’t reach an agreement and Quickley continues to improve next season, Scotto says New York might contemplate using him as part of a trade package for a star.
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Trade Rumors: Harden, Lillard, Knicks, George

July 5th, 2023 at 4:02pm CST by Luke Adams

Appearing on SportsCenter on Tuesday (Twitter video link), ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggested that the Sixers may take the same approach to James Harden‘s trade request that they did to Ben Simmons‘ in 2021. In other words, the team will exercise patience waiting for the right deal to materialize, hoping in the meantime that its star guard will eventually have a change of heart about his desire to leave Philadelphia.

“If it was up to the Sixers, they would get James Harden enthusiastic about playing next season with the Sixers,” Wojnarowski said. “… The Sixers have been talking to teams about trades for James Harden (but) their asking price is really high.”

As Wojarowski points out, Harden has a better relationship with Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey than Simmons did with the team leaders in Philadelphia. However, the 76ers’ apparent unwillingness to put a lucrative, long-term contract offer on the table for Harden has created some discontent.

“There’s a lot of work that’s gotta be done with Harden before he’s really enthusiastic about a return there,” Wojnarowski said.

Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors from around the NBA:

  • Unlike the 76ers with Harden, the Trail Blazers are under no illusions that they’ll be able to convince Damian Lillard to continue his career in Portland, Wojnarowski said during an NBA Today appearance on Wednesday (YouTube link). “I think both sides realize that this is over,” Wojnarowski said. “This is not a situation necessarily where the Blazers are trying to talk Damian Lillard back in.”
  • ESPN’s Tim Bontemps said on ESPN’s Get Up on Wednesday that he’s not expecting the Lillard situation to be resolved in the short-term future, noting that the Trail Blazers will want to take plenty of time to sort through all their options and get the best possible return. “I think we’re in for a bit of a wait,” Bontemps said (YouTube link). “That’s because we are on Portland Trail Blazers time.”
  • The Knicks‘ offseason feels somewhat incomplete, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic, who suggests the team could still have a move to make on the trade market. League sources tell Katz that the Knicks have contacted multiple teams this summer in search of a veteran in his prime who would fit the current roster.
  • While the Knicks may still have a trade up their sleeves, it doesn’t sound like it will be for Clippers forward Paul George. New York was linked to George earlier in the offseason, but Alan Hahn of ESPN Radio and MSG Network said on the Bart & Hahn podcast (Twitter audio link) that the Knicks deemed it too “expensive” to both acquire George and give him the extension he’s believed to be seeking.
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Raptors Rumors: Siakam, Anunoby, VanVleet, Ujiri

July 5th, 2023 at 12:40pm CST by Luke Adams

Although he reportedly doesn’t want to play anywhere but Toronto, Pascal Siakam and the Raptors have yet to formally meet to discuss a possible contract extension, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca, who says that trade speculation about the two-time All-NBA forward continues to percolate.

As Grange previously reported, the Hawks, who have been repeatedly linked to Siakam throughout the offseason, attempted to re-engage the Raptors in trade talks this past weekend, while other teams are also believed to have checked in. One possible trade scenario that Grange has heard about would involve both the Hawks and Rockets, though he’s not sure about the specifics.

Despite the rumors and speculation, it remains unclear whether the Raptors are seriously thinking about moving the 29-year-old. According to Grange, sources around the league who had questions about Toronto’s direction entering this offseason still haven’t been able to get a clear read on the front office’s plans.

“They’re not the easiest team to deal with, I’ll just say that,” one source said to Grange.

Siakam isn’t the only Raptors forward who should still be considered a possible trade candidate. OG Anunoby is entering a contract year and isn’t necessarily assured of a long-term future in Toronto. Grange says Anunoby “remains on the watch list for several teams” and singles out the Knicks as one club with considerable interest.

Here’s more on the Raptors:

  • According to Grange, the Raptors’ veterans – particularly Siakam and Fred VanVleet – were frustrated last season by some of the team’s younger players. VanVleet “let them know about it, something the younger set didn’t appreciate at all,” Grange writes.
  • In the same story, Grange says that Raptors president Masai Ujiri spoke to players multiple times last season to express his displeasure with “selfish play and poor body language.” According to Grange, former head coach Nick Nurse may have been planning his exit from the franchise during the season, recognizing that he would likely be let go at season’s end.
  • The best offer the Raptors were prepared to make to VanVleet in free agency was a four-year deal that included a partially guaranteed final year, with $100MM in total guaranteed money, Grange reports. VanVleet opted for the Rockets’ three-year, $128MM+ deal, even though it will reportedly only include two guaranteed seasons.
  • Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca checks in on a number of Raptors-related topics, including where the team’s 2023/24 cap stands and why the club decided to guarantee Thaddeus Young‘s $8MM salary for the coming season.
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Fournier's Contract Looms As Unfinished Business

July 4th, 2023 at 6:50pm CST by Dana Gauruder
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Celtics Rumors: G. Williams, Brown, Porzingis, Brogdon

July 4th, 2023 at 3:09pm CST by Luke Adams

The Celtics still have at least two major pieces of business to deal with in the coming days, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, who hears that team and league sources anticipate resolution on Grant Williams‘ restricted free agency before Jaylen Brown‘s contract extension.

The Hawks, Hornets, Mavericks, Knicks, and Wizards all remain contenders for Williams, says Weiss, noting that either a sign-and-trade deal or a mid-level offer has been considered the likeliest outcome for the RFA forward.

Multiple league sources tell Weiss they believe the Celtics would consider matching any offer worth up to the full non-taxpayer mid-level, but the team may not have the appetite to go much higher than that. If a rival suitor wants Williams badly enough, negotiating a sign-and-trade would ensure there would be no risk of Boston matching an offer sheet, but the Celtics have been seeking a first-round pick in sign-and-trade talks, Weiss reports.

Here’s more on the Celtics:

  • Weiss reiterates a point made by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, writing that even though Brown is eligible for a super-max contract extension, there are details to negotiate, including whether or not the deal will include incentives and whether it will feature a player option. While negotiations are expected to “pick up steam” soon, the sense is that once Williams’ situation is resolved, the Celtics will have a clearer picture of how they’ll build around Brown’s extension, Weiss explains.
  • Kristaps Porzingis, who will earn $36MM in 2023/24, is expected to earn approximately $28.8MM in ’24/25 and $31.2MM in ’25/26 on his new two-year, $60MM extension. As Weiss writes, that pay drop will help the Celtics manage their tax situation and potentially avoid the second tax apron in future seasons, depending on what happens with Brown and Williams.
  • While one weekend report indicated the Celtics aren’t trying to move Malcolm Brogdon, Weiss doesn’t believe the possibility of a Brogdon deal has been entirely ruled out. If Boston were to deal Brogdon or Williams (via sign-and-trade), the team would likely prioritize acquiring a ball-handler who could complement Derrick White in the backcourt, Weiss says.
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Atlantic Notes: J. Brown, Embiid, Knicks, Raptors

July 3rd, 2023 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

A handful of players have agreed to contract extensions since the new league year began on Saturday, but Celtics wing Jaylen Brown isn’t among them — yet.

Appearing on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Monday (YouTube video link), Brian Windhorst said the Celtics and Brown have mutual interest in getting something done and that he expects things to “head in that direction.” However, he also referred to the deal as “fragile.” Asked to clarify what he meant by that, Windhorst explained that Brown having qualified for a super-max extension doesn’t mean no negotiations will be required.

“I think it’ll get done, but he’s eligible for up to 35% of the salary cap, but he doesn’t have to get that,” Windhorst said. “The Celtics could negotiate on that. They could negotiate on a player option. They could negotiate on several things. So it’s not as simple as saying, ‘Jaylen, here’s your contract, sign it or not.'”

While most players who have signed designated veteran (super-max) contracts have received a full 35% starting salary, Rudy Gobert is one notable exception. When he signed his super-max extension with Utah, it began at 31.4% of the cap.

Here’s more from around the Atlantic:

  • Rival executives have no expectation that the drama in Philadelphia related to James Harden‘s trade request will prompt Sixers center Joel Embiid to seek a change of scenery himself, writes Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. “No, just no way,” one general manager replied when asked about the possibility. “He is a different kind of character. He is a lot more like (Damian) Lillard and (Bradley) Beal because he wants to be loyal to the team, he wants to stay there, he has a lot of appreciation for how he has been treated there.” Of course, Lillard and Beal eventually did request trades, so – as the GM notes – if the 76ers haven’t moved any closer to title contention two or three years from now, it could be a different story.
  • While the Knicks got better by adding a shot-maker and creator in Donte DiVincenzo, their rotation took a hit with the trade of Obi Toppin, who was the power forward on the second unit, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. It remains to be seen what the plans are for that spot, according to Braziller, who notes that New York’s excess backcourt depth could set the team up for a roster-balancing trade.
  • Barring a trade that shakes up the roster, the Raptors aren’t in position to make another significant move this offseason. So in order for the team to take any sort of step forward after losing Fred VanVleet, Toronto may need the hiring of head coach Darko Rajakovic to be its most impactful move of the offseason, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star suggests.
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Knicks’ Josh Hart Commits To Team USA For World Cup

July 2nd, 2023 at 4:16pm CST by Rory Maher

Knicks wing Josh Hart has committed to play for Team USA for the 2023 World Cup, which kicks off next month, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Hart confirmed the news by tweeting out American flag emojis.

As Wojnarowski notes, Hart will be the final addition to the 12-man roster that also features his Knicks teammate, Jalen Brunson. The other 10 players who have committed to play are Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Austin Reaves, Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cameron Johnson, Walker Kessler and Bobby Portis, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN (via Twitter).

Hart unexpectedly exercised his $12.96MM player option for 2023/24, forgoing free agency. It seems likely that he’ll sign a long-term deal with New York once he becomes extension-eligible in August.

In 76 games (32.3 MPG) with the Trail Blazers and Knicks last season, the 28-year-old averaged 9.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.2 APG and 1.2 SPG on a .529/.372/.750 shooting line. He’ll bring plenty of energy and toughness to Team USA this summer.

The Americans will start training camp for the World Cup in early August, with their first game scheduled later that month in the Philippines.

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