The Indiana Pacers are looking for a forward. They’ve been involved in plenty of the NBA’s trade rumors recently. In almost every case, they’ve been linked to a 4. This team’s desires are a poorly kept secret.
In fact, the Pacers acquitted two 4s this summer. They drafted Jarace Walker, and they traded for Obi Toppin. It will be interesting to see how this works out. If Toppin looks starting caliber as the year progresses, the Pacers may have solved their problems.
After all, Walker is a rookie. He’s not likely to be ready to start for another season or two if the Pacers have win-now aspirations. So, if Toppin doesn’t look like a starter, the Pacers could make a trade.
Could they land Toppin’s old teammate by acquiring Julius Randle from the New York Knicks?
NBA Trade Proposal — Indiana Pacers Land Julius Randle
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, F/C Daniel Theis, 2026 First-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Julius Randle
Whatever fans think of this trade, Obi Toppin won’t be pleased with it. He’s spent his entire NBA career to date backing up Randle. When the Pacers traded for him, it was supposed to be Toppin’s salvation. Finally, he wouldn’t be stuck behind a star.
Well, we’re not suggesting that this trade should happen tomorrow. Toppin has an opportunity, and we’ll see if he makes good on it. To be sure, he’s an intriguing player.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Julius Randle, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers Updates
Toppin has a unique athletic profile, and he works hard. Have his skills developed to a point where he’s a viable starting option? That will be a question for the Pacers this year.
If Toppin looks ready to go, they won’t give up assets to upgrade this position. What if he doesn’t?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Toppin was never going to jump Randle in New York’s rotation. Randle is simply far more advanced. That’s essentially why the Pacers would do this deal. They already know that Randle is an upgrade over Toppin.
That’s the main benefit of this deal for Indiana. Another advantage comes from moving Hield. Apparently, the two sides have struggled to come to terms on an extension. The Pacers aren’t likely to keep Hield long-term, so getting any value for him in a trade is a good decision.
Some Pacers fans will not be pleased with surrendering an unprotected first. That’s fair – this is a relatively young team in a rebuild.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Julius Randle, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers Updates
At the same time, the small-market Pacers typically prefer to stay competitive if possible. This deal should help them with that goal. Should the Knicks help the Pacers improve?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
Randle may be an offensively gifted player. He’s also far from perfect. Randle struggles on the defensive end of the floor. He’s also inconsistent – Randle seems to fluctuate between being an All-NBA player and a liability every other season.
That’s why the Knicks are only getting one first-round pick for him here. Fans of the team won’t like it, but in all likelihood, that’s Randle’s market value. If he’s playing well this year, the Knicks won’t want to move him at all. With that said, if they do make him available, this is the type of return that they can expect.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Julius Randle, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers Updates
That’s fine. The Knicks are adding an unprotected first. This team has looked primed to trade for a superstar, and this deal lands them an asset that they can use to do it. Whether that star is a forward or not remains to be seen.
