How This Trade Impacts Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are looking to shake things up on their roster and are reportedly open to a rebuild. If they are going to part with one of their big men, and in this case Myles Turner, it makes sense to get someone back in return that can fill the power forward position.
In this scenario, they do just that by landing Obi Toppin from the New York Knicks. Toppin has begun taking off in his second season in the NBA providing highlight-reel dunks and a non-stop motor that gets his teammates going every night. His energy is infectious and it is criminal that he is averaging only 15.9 minutes per game.
With the Pacers, that playing time could legitimately double. Indiana doesn’t have another player outside of Domantas Sabonis listed as a power forward in their rotation currently.
If Turner were to be traded, Sabonis would likely slide over to the starting center spot, leaving a huge hole in the rotation.
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Toppin is far from a finished product, but what he has done for the Knicks this season is impressive. He would thrive with more playing time as he can impact the game without having the ball in his hands.
Nerlens Noel would provide Indiana some more insurance at the center spot. He would bring some high-level defense, when healthy, replacing some of what the team would be missing from Turner’s departure in terms of rim protection.
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Noel could be shopped in the offseason as an expiring deal as well since his 2023-24 contract is a team option. Whichever first-round selection the Pacers got from the Knicks would hold value. Picks are gold for rebuilding teams as it provides them a way to navigate the draft board and add more talent to the roster.
