The Indiana Pacers are red-hot right now and are gaining a lot of momentum as they prepare for another deep playoff run. Indiana has won five consecutive games and seven of their last eight. Since the turn of the calendar, the Pacers are 26-11. According to StatMuse, only the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers (the top three teams in the NBA) have had a better record than the Pacers in that time.
After a conference finals appearance last year, the Pacers played it the best way they could have in the offseason and opted to keep most of the roster intact. Aside from losing Jalen Smith, the Pacers did not have any major changes to their roster last summer. This continuity has led to better chemistry within the team, which has helped make the Pacers better on the court.
Despite another successful campaign this year, the Pacers have some tough decisions they must make in the offseason regarding roster turnover. This includes Obi Toppin, who many have deemed a legitimate trade candidate for Indiana for financial flexibility purposes. However, in a recent message sent by head coach Rick Carlisle, Toppin's future with the Pacers may already be decided.
Rick Carlisle may have confirmed Obi Toppin will remain a Pacer
When he is hot, Toppin is an incredible asset for Indiana. Now in his second season with the team, he has become a valuable piece off the bench.
In two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, the 27-year-old is averaging 27 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 65.5% from the field and 68.4% from beyond the arc. After the Pacers' second victory over the Timberwolves, Carlisle praised Toppin and gave a simple message about the forward--"He's a winner."
"He's a winner," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's a team guy. He's all about trying to help the guys next to him."
Like Carlisle says, Toppin is a player who prioritizes the team first. However, when needed, he has shown that he has the ability to take over a game and sometimes even lead the Pacers to a victory.
Last year, the Pacers signed Toppin to a four-year, $58 million deal. Despite the rumors and the Pacers' financial situation, it is clear that they like what he brings to the table and that they want him around for the long haul.
Carlisle had previously praised the Brooklyn native and his growth as a player. With his latest comments, Carlisle doubled down on his Toppin fandom and made it clear that he is essential to the team's success. Toppin remains a name to monitor for the Pacers this offseason, but as it stands, it seems like he will remain with the team for the foreseeable future.