NBA free agency: Pacers, Obi Toppin agree to $60 million deal after Eastern Conference finals trip, per report
Toppin averaged career-highs across the board last season, his first in Indianapolis
The Indiana Pacers and forward Obi Toppin have agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. While Toppin was going to be an unrestricted free agent, the two sides were able to get their business done early thanks to a new rule in the collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to negotiate with their own free agents once the Finals ended. 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 New York Knicks, was traded to the Pacers last summer. His first campaign in Indianapolis was a great 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 qualified player in NBA history to shoot at least 70% on 2-pointers and 40% on 3-pointers.
The Pacers’ extremely high-paced style accentuated Toppin’s athleticism and willingness to run the floor, and he became a favorite target for Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell. Despite playing just 21 minutes per game, Toppin threw down 101 dunks last season, which ranked 22nd in the league, including a number of highlight-reel slams. Haliburton told CBS Sports that his favorite pass he threw all season was a lob to Toppin against the Charlotte Hornets.
