The trade deadline is roughly a month away, and it is still unknown what the Indiana Pacers plan on doing, if anything. For much of the season, a trade for the Pacers seemed inevitable given their slow start to the year. However, recently, the Pacers have turned things around and now look much closer to the team that made the conference finals last year.
Indiana did make one trade already by acquiring backup center Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat. While not a blockbuster deal, it was an important one for the team to make to add depth to the team. The Pacers, who are comfortably in the playoff picture as it stands, may not make another move this season. However, that has not stopped them from popping up in trade rumors.
Recently, NBA insider Marc Stein named Obi Toppin as the Pacers' likeliest trade candidate. Stein cites Toppin's new contract as a major reason the team could move on from him (subscription required).
"Trading Toppin for an expiring contract does not help the Pacers on the court but gives them more flexibility this offseason to sign free agent Myles Turner and extend Bennedict Mathurin. With Toppin's $14 million salary on the books next season, Indiana is $20 million below the luxury tax before it addresses the future of Turner. Toppin is averaging double-digit points for a second consecutive season."
Moving on from Toppin could make sense. However, if a deal is strictly done for salary cap purposes, that would be too risky for the Pacers. Ultimately, this is a move that may seem like a no-brainer at first glance but could come back to bite the team later on.
Pacers must not trade Obi Toppin just for financial reasons
Toppin is now in his second season in Indiana and is once again showing his value. On the year, the Brooklyn native is averaging 10.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Additionally, he is shooting 55% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc through 33 games, all off the bench.
In December, head coach Rick Carlisle praised Toppin for what he brings to the court. Toppin provides great energy and has improved as a defender. Furthermore, he plays his role very well and tends to go on hot streaks from time to time.
Toppin provides a lot of value to this Pacers team. This is especially true considering that he is essential to the Pacers' bench, arguably the best second unit in the NBA. He is a great player who has played the best basketball of his career since joining the Pacers. Trading him as part of a package deal for an upgrade could make sense. However, if the Pacers opt to trade Toppin to shred some salary rather than get value in return, there is a great chance that move would become a mistake.