New York Knicks Receive: F/C Daniel Theis, 2023 First-Round Pick (No. 26 – CLE via NYK), 2024 Second-Round Pick (MIL via IND), 2025 Second-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Obi Toppin
Of course, it isn’t only small market teams typically opposed to rebuilding. Some big market teams avoid the practice as well. They’ve got different reasons for doing so.
Often, a big market team will operate under the assumption that they’ll be able to sign a major free agent.
For example, look at the Knicks. This team was mediocre for a long time. They weren’t exactly rebuilding, but they weren’t contending, either. Eventually, they got back to contending.
In the end, it wasn’t a star free agent that got them there. The Knicks signed Jalen Brunson, and then, he became a star as opposed to attracting an All-NBA talent.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Obi Toppin ,New York Knicks & Indiana Pacers Updates
Brunson was Luka Doncic’s backcourt partner in Dallas, but became the floor general in New York. He broke out doing so.
The Pacers will need to be willing to take a chance on an intriguing young talent that just needs a bigger opportunity, too.
Should they risk watching Toppin become a star in Indiana?
