MOCK TRADE REPORT: Obi Toppin to the Sixers? A Blockbuster Shakeup as Indiana Eyes Future Without Haliburton
A Franchise in Flux
When the Indiana Pacers acquired Obi Toppin from the New York Knicks in 2023, it was seen as a bold, forward-thinking move—a trade that injected athleticism, excitement, and rim-running explosiveness into a team that was on the rise behind All-Star Tyrese Haliburton. Fast forward to mid-2025, and the tide has turned sharply.
Haliburton—once the face of the franchise—has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a devastating knee injury. Myles Turner, the longtime anchor of the Pacers’ defense, has been dealt in a shocking move to Memphis. And now, according to emerging reports and insider whispers, Obi Toppin has agreed personal terms with the Philadelphia 76ers, in what appears to be another major domino in Indiana’s retooling—or perhaps, a full-scale rebuild.
The Sixers, meanwhile, are in desperate need of a power forward. Since Tobias Harris’ departure and the injury issues surrounding their frontcourt, Philadelphia has been aggressively shopping the market for a versatile, athletic 4 who can stretch the floor and play in transition. With Joel Embiid aging and the clock ticking on their championship window, the Sixers are clearly in “win now” mode.
And in steps Toppin—possibly the perfect piece to revive Philly’s ambitions.
The Terms of the Deal: Breaking Down the Mock Trade
While this is currently a mock trade scenario, all signs point to momentum building quickly. Here’s how the potential trade could look:
Philadelphia 76ers Receive:
Obi Toppin (PF) – Age: 26, Contract: $9.3 million expiring
2026 Second-Round Pick (via Indiana)
Indiana Pacers Receive:
Paul Reed (F/C) – Age: 25, Contract: 2 years, $14.5 million total
2025 First-Round Pick (Top-10 protected)
Salary Cap Relief (~$2M cap flexibility)
The logic is clear: Philadelphia adds an explosive forward with a higher ceiling, and Indiana receives a younger big man, a valuable first-round pick, and clears cap space to prepare for a longer-term rebuild.
Why the Sixers Need Obi Toppin
Let’s be honest—this isn’t the same Sixers team that once housed the dominant trio of Embiid, Simmons, and Harden. The franchise has pivoted numerous times over the past few seasons, struggling to define its identity. Even though Embiid remains an MVP-caliber force, the supporting cast has often been underwhelming, and the frontcourt in particular has lacked dynamism.
Obi Toppin solves several issues at once:
Spacing: He shot a career-best 37.9% from deep last season, making him a reliable pick-and-pop partner.
Pace: The Sixers are among the league’s slower teams. Toppin’s elite transition ability adds a new dimension.
Athleticism: Toppin’s dunks, cuts, and off-ball movement are tailor-made to play alongside a dominant post presence like Embiid.
Low Cost: With just one year left on his deal, he’s low-risk—and high-reward.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has long been a fan of stretch-fours who can run the floor. In Toppin, he gets that—and more.
Why the Pacers Are Letting Go
This might be the more surprising part. Why, after giving Toppin the starting role and watching him average a career-high 14.3 points and 6.2 rebounds last season, would Indiana part ways with him—especially when his synergy with Haliburton had finally started to blossom?
Two words: Tyrese Haliburton.
His season-ending injury has changed the Pacers’ entire calculus. Without Haliburton, Indiana is not a playoff team. They know it. Fans know it. And the front office is quietly embracing a more future-focused strategy. Shedding salary, acquiring picks, and developing youth is the new priority.
Moreover, with Myles Turner gone, Bennedict Mathurin taking more touches, and Jarace Walker earning rotational minutes, Toppin’s long-term fit is murky. He’s too good to waste on a tanking team but not quite
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