The trade season in the NBA season is quickly approaching as December 15th is the day many players in the league become eligible for trade. With the Indiana Pacers, who are off to a slow start this season, barely scraping by, many expect them to be active in the trade market.
So far, the only two notable names that have been thrown around in trade rumors are Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard. Turner is in the midst of a contract year and is having a mediocre season so far. As for Nembhard, NBA insider Jake Fischer already reported that other contenders in the league have their eyes set on potentially acquiring him in the future. As it stands, however, neither Pacer is likely to be moved.
There is another notable trade candidate that is seemingly more likely to be on the move. In an appearance on "Query & Company" (Spotify link) on Wednesday, NBA insider Bobby Marks revealed which player the Pacers are most likely to trade this season.
Bobby Marks names Obi Toppin as the Pacer most likely to be traded this season
Marks said that, if the Pacers do decide to make a trade this year, he thinks it would be "focused around Obi Toppin."
“If they’re going to make a move, I think it would be maybe somewhere focused around Obi Toppin, moving off what’s owed to him. That would be more of a move towards the future because it does give you some flexibility with Myles becoming a free agent this offseason if the goal is to re-sign him. So, that’s the one thing I would probably circle if I was a Pacers fan," said Marks.
The Pacers traded for Toppin from the New York Knicks in the 2023 offseason for two second-round picks. In Indiana, Toppin enjoyed a career year. The Dayton alum played in all 82 regular season games for the Pacers, averaging 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 57.3% from the field and 40.3% from beyond the arc. All these numbers were career highs for Toppin.
Additionally, he played in every game during the Pacers' Eastern Conference Finals run, including a 21-point, eight-rebound performance in the series-clinching victory against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
Toppin's campaign led to him getting a four-year, $58 million contract. Many believed this was a good contract for both sides, particularly because it is team-friendly and tradable down the line. Toppin is putting together another solid season in Indiana, but with how poorly the team has played so far, they could have interest in selling high and shedding Toppin's salary for long-term financial flexibility.
The trade deadline is still two months away, and nothing currently indicates that Toppin is in danger of losing his spot on this Pacers roster. However, Marks' comments are still noteworthy, making Toppin's status during trade season a must-follow for Pacers fans.