Pacers fleece New York Knicks and use cap space to win free agency

By Joe Lyon | Jul 2, 2023

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers directs his team in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 09, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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Obi Toppin – Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

Taking advantage of the incompetence of the Knicks

Sam went on to talk about how the Pacers were able to completely fleece the Knicks out of one of their former lottery picks.

"“They went on to steal Obi Toppin from the Knicks for two second-round picks. Toppin played only 14.7 minutes per game in three seasons in New York, but he clearly had more to give than Tom Thibodeau allowed him to show. In 15 starts across those three years, he averaged 20.6 points per game. Tyrese Haliburton is the perfect point guard for him. They’ll be among the NBA’s best transition duos and Haliburton will throw him plenty of lobs.”"

Toppin will be in a perfect situation when he arrives with the Pacers, playing alongside of Tyrese Haliburton. And Haliburton is really pumped to have Toppin on the team (see his twitter feed here to read about his excitement).

Toppin, as a former winner of the dunk contest certainly is an exciting pickup. But when he is given the opportunity to play, he does well. His shooting needs to get better and he’s an average defender at best (actually that’s a pretty generous statement), but there are certainly things to like about Obi’s game.

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