Pacers Predicted to Trade Former NCAA All-American

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Jan 8, 2025 12:59 PM ET

At 19-18 on the season, it's clear that last season's run to the Eastern Conference Finals was a fluke, and their current roster simply is not ready to compete with the best teams in the NBA. If the Indiana Pacers want to shake up their roster, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and Myles Turner--who is in the last season of his contract--could all be traded.

Turner could walk in free agency even if he gets traded to a new team, and Nesmith has been sidelined for months with an injury. Toppin, meanwhile, is averaging 10.4 points and 4.1 rebounds off the bench and is on a very manageable contract through 2027-28.

The former NCAA All-American never became an NBA star, but he is a high-level forward off the bench and could impact winning on a contender. On the other hand, his team-friendly contract means a rebuilding team might be interested in taking on his salary in a deal, like the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson, who has been linked to the Pacers.

"Though he is putting together another solid campaign, Toppin remains a top trade candidate for Indiana," wrote FanSided's Elie Deglaoui. "He is unlikely to ever play a bigger role than he currently is, and his contract makes it easier for the Pacers to include him in a package deal for an upgrade."

While the Pacers haven't been linked to the premier NBA trade candidates like Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram, they should be expected to either improve around the margins or scrap this season in a future-driven move. Either way, Toppin may find himself on the trade block sooner rather than later.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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