The New York Knicks and forward Obi Toppin have agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Toppin, who was an unrestricted free agent, was traded to the Pacers last summer from the New York Knicks. His first season in Indianapolis was a success, as he put up career-high averages of 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 57.3% from the field and 40.3% from behind the 3-point line. Toppin’s athleticism and willingness to run the floor meshed well with the Pacers’ high-paced style, making him a key contributor off the bench.
Toppin quickly became a favorite target for guards Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell, leading to numerous highlight-reel dunks and plays. The Pacers’ bench units, led by Toppin, averaged 46.8 points and shot 51.3% from the field, ranking first in the league. Their success off the bench contributed to the Pacers’ improved performance last season, resulting in a playoff appearance and a surprise run to the Eastern Conference finals. Despite ultimately being swept by the Boston Celtics, the Pacers gave the eventual champions a tough test, with four of the losses coming by five points or less.
During the playoffs, Toppin continued his strong play, averaging 10.9 points and 4.4 rebounds on efficient shooting splits
