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Former New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Pacers' Obi Toppin welcomes new beginning following trade from Knicks

By Colum Dell | Last updated 7/10/23

After being denied a large role with the New York Knicks, forward Obi Toppin has his sights set on making the most of his new opportunity with the Indiana Pacers.

The Brooklyn native was selected eighth overall by his hometown Knicks in 2020, spending three seasons as a reserve before being traded to Indiana for two future second-round picks earlier this offseason.

During a recent Zoom interview, Toppin expressed gratitude for his time playing on the team he admired growing up, but is also looking forward to the next chapter of his career.

"Obviously, it was a dream to have the opportunity to play at MSG and put that Knicks jersey on," Toppin said via the Indianapolis Star. "There were great players there, great coaches, everybody was amazing there. ... I didn't get the minutes I wanted, but now it's a new start. I'm here in Indy and I gotta work for everything I want."

Obi Toppin touches on his time with the Knicks:

"I had a great time with the Knicks. Obviously, it's been a dream to have the opportunity to play at MSG and obviously put that Knicks jersey on. There were great players there, great coaches, and everybody was amazing there" pic.twitter.com/7KApoErBoY
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) July 9, 2023

Last season, Toppin played 15.7 minutes per game in 67 appearances, averaging 7.4 points and 2.8 rebounds. The 25-year-old heads to Indiana with one season remaining on his rookie deal before he is scheduled to hit restricted free agency.

Toppin was also asked on – but brushed off – a question about an incident between him and Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau following Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat. The Athletic's Fred Katz described an "intense verbal altercation" after Toppin logged six minutes that game while witnessing his former team succumb to a 3-1 series deficit.

"I'm not really worried about the past anymore, thinking about that," Toppin said. "All I'm worried about is this new start. A fresh start. I can't wait to get out there."

Aside from adding Toppin, the Pacers have enjoyed an impressive offseason, strengthening their young core by bringing in new pieces and locking up their franchise star for the foreseeable future.

During free agency, they signed an impact veteran in Bruce Brown to a two-year, $45 million deal and inked point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a five-year, $260 million max contract. The new faces should be able to mesh well with Indiana's up-tempo style of play and aid in improving on last season's 11th-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Although Toppin will surely have an expanded role this coming season, he'll have to compete with 2023's No. 8 overall pick Jarace Walker to start. Nevertheless, it's an exciting time for Toppin, who can finally play for a team tailored to his explosive abilities and prove he was worthy of a top-10 selection.

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