NBA insider says Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks rumored to be in talks

The Indiana Pacers have once again surfaced in the newest trade rumors per one NBA Insider. In a season full of rumors and trade proposals, this one seems to might actually be one that could happen.

Sean Deveney, an NBA insider and editor for Heavy Sports, was told by one league exec that:

"“There has been some talk between the Pacers and Knicks about Obi (Toppin). He fits in Indiana, especially if they keep Turner. Obi is a rim-runner, he has some toughness, he has athleticism. He needs minutes and a team that is rebuilding with young talent like Indy is a really good match”"

The report goes on to say that in return, the Pacers would need to potentially move one or more of the extra first-round picks in return for Toppin. Since Indiana has extra playing time and a plethora of picks for next year’s draft, would this make sense to act on?

If the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks really are having conversations about moving Obi Toppin to Indiana, what might that trade look like? We give a couple of trade proposals that might interest or not interest the Pacers faithful.

Let’s take a look at a few of these potential trades that were approved through the NBA trade machine.

A promising prospect and a first-round draft pick.

It depends on what the New York Knicks are wanting back in the trade. If their primary objective is opening up minutes on the floor, than they are likely looking for draft capital. There is a chance that a first-rounder may be enough to get the job done. If so, the Pacers could go for a trade somewhat like this one:

This potential trade sends a veteran along with Trevelin Queen, who may be able to develop into a rotational player down the road, but keeps minutes open for the Knicks now. It then sends over the best first rounder between the Celtics and Cleveland picks that the Pacers have next year.

While there is a cost to the trade in the first-round draft pick, the Pacers should jump all over a trade like this one. It is unlikely they could draft a talent like Obi Toppin at the end of the first round, and Toppin may still have upside. There is a chance that New York feels that there is not enough coming back in this trade to go for it. Could the Pacers give more?

A second year rotation player and a low-end first round draft pick

If the Knicks are looking for more value on the court, the Pacers could look to open up some time in their guard rotation. The Pacers have too many guards at the moment and moving one of them may allow for more time for younger players to develop. One such trade would be the following:

Of course Duarte is a promising young prospect that we would love to keep. There are some injury concerns early on, and this would allow the Pacers to move off of those. This would also open up some more minutes for players such as Mathurin, Nembhard, and Nesmith in the rotation.

In return the Pacers would get a starter-level forward that has a high ceiling (something the Pacers have desperately needed of late). A low-end first round pick is also included (Boston’s may be the very last one), so it is almost a second round pick.

Heavy draft capital in return for multiple young prospects

The Knicks have multiple players that could fit in well with the Indiana Pacers. This would allow the Pacers to solidify their rotation but would also forfeit draft capital.

Immanuel Quickley is having a great year and may be hard to pry away from the Knicks. However, two first-round picks may be enough to get it done along with a new backup guard in McConnell in New York. This may be optimistic thinking, or perhaps you think we would be giving away too much.

In any case, it sounds like discussions are happening in the background that would potentially bring Toppin to Indiana and here were three trade ideas that may allow for it to happen. Give that New York is looking for draft capital in return, all three of these included at least one first-round draft pick in return.

Would you do any of these? Let us know in the comments below!