He Indiana Pacers and forward Obi Toppin They have agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract, according to Adrián WojnarowskiWhile Toppin was set to be an unrestricted free agent, the two sides were able to finalize their deals early thanks to a new rule in the collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to negotiate with their own free agents once the Finals are over. . Teams can negotiate with any free agent starting Sunday night at 6 p.m. ET.
Toppin, who spent his first three seasons in the league with the The New York Knickswas traded to the Pacers last summer. His first campaign in Indianapolis was a huge success, as he averaged 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 57.3% from the field, including 40.3% from behind the 3-point arc. All of those marks were career highs. In the process he became the first player ever ranked in the NBA. NBA history to shoot at least 70% on three-pointers and 40% on three-pointers.
The Pacers’ fast-paced style accentuated Toppin’s athleticism and willingness to run the court, and he became a favorite target of Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnellDespite playing just 21 minutes per game, Toppin had 101 dunks last season, which ranked 22nd in the league, including several highlight-reel-worthy dunks. Haliburton told CBS Sports that his favorite pass he threw all season. It was a lob to Toppin against him Charlotte Hornets.
Thanks in large part to Toppin, the Pacers’ reserves averaged 46.8 points and shot 51.3% from the field, both results putting them in first place in the league. Their reserves’ ability to push the pace, move the ball and score seemingly at will was a big reason the Pacers won 12 more games than last season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Once there, they tore down the milwaukee dollars and the New York Knicks achieved a surprising arrival in the Eastern Conference finals. Although they were swept away by the Boston Celtics In that round, they arguably gave the eventual champions their toughest test of the postseason, with four of the losses coming by five points or less. During the playoffs, Toppin maintained his production and averaged 10.9 points and 4.4 rebounds on 54.1/35.7/76.0 shooting.