The Indiana Pacers have acquired forward Obi Toppin from the New York Knicks in a trade, according to an Associated Press source. The Pacers sent forward Doug McDermott and two second-round picks to the Knicks in exchange for Toppin.
Toppin, 22, was the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He had a strong rookie season with the Knicks, averaging 14.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Toppin was also named to the All-Rookie Second Team.
The Pacers are hoping that Toppin can help bolster their frontcourt. Toppin brings a lot of athleticism and energy to the court, and he is a good shooter from the outside. He should fit in well with the Pacers’ system and be able to contribute right away.
McDermott, who was acquired by the Pacers in 2019, averaged 8.6 points and 2.7 rebounds per game this season. He was a valuable role player for the Pacers, but they felt that Toppin was a better fit for their team moving forward.
The Pacers are hoping that Toppin can help them make a deep playoff run this season. With Toppin in the mix, the Pacers have a more complete roster and should be able to compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
This trade is a win-win for both teams. The Knicks get some valuable assets in return for Toppin, while the Pacers get a talented young player who can help them make a playoff push this season. It will be interesting to see how Toppin fits in with the Pacers and how he helps them going forward.
