For the Pacers pick trade, saving money this year with all the young pieces they already have is most likely what's happening.
I think that it also makes it so that they can trade their '26 or '27 pick if they found an on-the-margins move to make this offseason. They'll say all the right things about paying the tax, but there's a chance that they may try to save some money by trading Toppin and/or Walker or something like that.
Or.......... Obi + Walker + a pick or two for Cam Johnson? Doesn't save them money but likely makes them better.
Cam Johnson would definitely be a nice get (though the market seems to demand a lot more for role players of his caliber). It has to be the money-saving factor, though, at least in the short-term.
For the Pacers pick trade, saving money this year with all the young pieces they already have is most likely what's happening.
I think that it also makes it so that they can trade their '26 or '27 pick if they found an on-the-margins move to make this offseason. They'll say all the right things about paying the tax, but there's a chance that they may try to save some money by trading Toppin and/or Walker or something like that.
Or.......... Obi + Walker + a pick or two for Cam Johnson? Doesn't save them money but likely makes them better.
Cam Johnson would definitely be a nice get (though the market seems to demand a lot more for role players of his caliber). It has to be the money-saving factor, though, at least in the short-term.