Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers
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Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers have had a brutal 2025-26 NBA season after their run to the NBA Finals last season. In Game 7 of the Finals, they saw superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton go down with a torn Achilles.
Due to that injury, Haliburton was quickly ruled out for the entire season. It has become clear just how much the Pacers depend on him, as they currently hold a 15-55 record.
At this point in the season, Indiana’s record has them placed last in the entire league. That being said, the Pacers are trending towards potentially landing a top-four pick and would have a chance to land a player like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, or Cameron Boozer.
Before the NBA trade deadline, Indiana made a major trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire Ivica Zubac. He has replaced Myles Turner, who left in free agency to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Heading into next season, the Pacers could have a healthy Haliburton, Zubac, and a top draft pick on the roster.
With that being said, finances are starting to become a talking point in Indiana. A potential move has been suggested that could help the Pacers stay head of the cap.
Indiana Pacers Urged to Consider Trading Fan Favorite
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz believes that Indiana should consider trading veteran forward Obi Toppin this offseason. He suggested a potential deal that would send Toppin to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick.
“The Pacers are already projected to be $13 million over the luxury tax line next season. A trade to dump salary is inevitable,” Swartz wrote.
“Parting ways with Toppin is perhaps the easiest way to get under the tax, as erasing his $15 million salary would do the job.”
Toppin, who is the middle of a four-year, $58 million contract, has become a fan favorite with the Pacers. Seeing him traded would be a sad day for the fans.
Trading Obi Toppin Would Cost the Pacers Top-Tier Depth
Moving on from Toppin could help Indiana with its cap situation, but would also cost the team a role player who has become a key part of what it does.
While Toppin has missed a lot of this season due to injury, he was a big part of the Pacers’ NBA Finals run last year. During the regular season, he averaged 10.5 points, four rebounds, and 1.6 assists off the bench in 79 games.
At 28 years old, only getting a second-round pick for Toppin would be a tough reality for Indiana. Trading him within the division would make matters feel even worse.
Perhaps Kevin Pritchard and the Pacers’ front office can figure out how to move some things around to keep Toppin. Or, it is entirely possible that he could be on his way out of Indianapolis in the near future.