Trade with the New York Knicks with the Indiana Pacers is already back to plague them in the Eastern Conference Finals

In 2023, the New York Knicks traded Obitoppin for the Indiana Pacers, where he emerged as a key depth piece.

After the Indiana Pacers surprised the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the pathway for the Pacers to play the NBA Finals was laid.

With four players in the top 15 minutes played per game, the Knicks simply don’t have the depth to catch up with Indiana.

The Pacers were able to run the Knicks from the gym, and New York gave Indiana a piece of important depth for nothing during the two summers.

In 2023, Obitopin was nearing the end of his rookie contract with the New York Knicks and had not yet lived in the hype. After winning the NCAA Player of the Year Award with the Dayton Flyers, he finished eighth overall in 2020, averaging seven points for the Knicks in three seasons, shooting 32.5% from the 3-point range.

In Indiana, he has scored per game to 10 points per game, mostly off the bench, making him one of the more reliable shooters on the roster.

In addition to scoring, he has improved Indiana’s rebounds, assists and overall field goal percentage, and is a legitimate NBA rotation player with one of the best teams in the league.

The Knicks got two helmed second round picks in 2028 and 2030, knowing he wouldn’t extend him when his rookie contract was over.

Although Toppin is far from a star, he represents what the Knicks don’t have: depth. He’s in the top 15 of 15 played per game under Tom Thibodeau, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson.

With toppin behind on the depth chart, the starter can remain fresh longer.

Toppin hasn’t been a beater worldwide against the Knicks since the deal, but he was consistent enough for Indiana to beat New York in the second round last season and to score a 1-0 lead in the conference finals this season.

On the second pick that doesn’t tell the Knicks or Pacers title window, it’s safe to say that Pacer won the trade, and the Knicks could easily win at Toppin at Toppin rather than against him.