NBA Trade Rumors: Indiana Pacers eyeing a move for New York Knicks forward

NBA Trade Rumors: The Indiana Pacers could be eyeing a move for a New York Knicks forward ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. 

Heading into the NBA Trade Deadline season, the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks are two teams that are expected to be active in talks over the next few weeks. However, you can make the argument for two very different reasons.

The expectation is that the Pacers are going to look to move off of some of their assets and the Knicks are likely going to be looking to make an addition ahead of the push toward the playoffs. However, one recent report adds a different element.

According to Sean Deveney, the Pacers have talked with the Knicks regarding a potential deal for Obi Toppin. At least on the surface, there are many intriguing elements to this rumor.

Would the New York Knicks trade Obi Toppin?

For one, you’d have to wonder if the Knicks would even trade Toppin. Admittedly, he hasn’t been as efficient on the offensive end as last season. Still, Toppin averaged eight points and four rebounds per game on 42 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent shooting from 3-point range.

He’s still just 24 years old and there have been many in the fan base calling for more minutes for Toppin. However, that’s difficult to do with Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle on the roster. The big question for the Knicks is whether they would be open to including Toppin in a deal if it meant an upgrade to the roster.

And the Pacers could offer some interesting options for New York ahead of the trade deadline. I’m not even sure what the trade would revolve around but there is no question that Buddy Hield and/or Myles Turner would certainly be of value to a team like the Knicks.

But, again, I’m not even sure if that’s what those talks revolved around. This could be nothing more than Indiana gauging interest in a young talented big that perhaps they believe they could use in their developmental system.

Either way, it’s certainly something to watch over the next few weeks. I still would be surprised if the Knicks shopped Toppin ahead of the trade deadline. Unless, of course, it would come with a tangible upgrade to New York’s roster.

The next few weeks in the NBA should be interesting. And the NBA’s trade season is just getting started.