Obi Toppin has earned a lot of credit in Indiana, but this preseason has put a familiar flaw back under the microscope.
The Pacers have every reason to appreciate what Toppin has become. Not long ago, he looked like a player drifting toward the edge of the league after an underwhelming first stretch with the New York Knicks.
New York selected him in 2020 with the same fanfare that came with being the presumptive or awarded college basketball player of the year, depending on how you view the AP polls, but the fit never really unlocked what made him special. He was parked in the corner, his best traits muted, and then the Knicks shipped him to Indiana for a handful of second-rounders.
Since arriving with the Pacers, Toppin has rebuilt himself into a useful and dependable bench option. He has become more versatile, steadier, and better at the small details that once separated him from being a polished NBA piece.
That’s what makes this preseason stretch so notable. The warning signs have shown up in the same areas that used to give him trouble: defense and rebounding. Those issues have been hard to miss, and if they’re carrying over from exhibition games into the real thing, Indiana will have a decision to make.
If this is only a preseason speed bump, it won’t matter much. But if this is the version of Toppin Indiana is getting going forward, the Pacers may have to think harder about whether he remains part of the long-term plan. If the hunger is gone, it may be time to look at replacing Obi Toppin before he asks for an extension he does not deserve.
That concern stands in sharp contrast to what Toppin once was at Dayton. He wasn’t just a highlight machine throwing down East Bay Dunks and flying in on fast breaks.
He was the center of everything offensively for a team that climbed all the way to the assumed top seed in the NCAA tournament before COVID hit. Yes, Dayton.
For a program that is usually solid but rarely feared in March, that season was a huge deal. Toppin led them there by being far more than a finisher at the rim. He shot over 40% from three during his college career, produced over 2.5 stocks per game, and averaged more than 20 points as both a freshman and a sophomore.
At his peak, he looked like a mini Giannis who could shoot.
That version of him has faded from the spotlight, first in New York and now into the background as a capable role player in Indiana. But one part of that old profile still matters most: the rebounding. Toppin’s career average was 9.1 rebounds per game, and if he can rediscover even a piece of that edge on the defensive glass, he could earn more minutes and even get into Sixth Man of the Year conversations.
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The preseason meeting with Milwaukee carried a little more edge than the calendar might suggest, and it started before the opening tip even really settled in. Pacers fans made their feelings known when former Indiana center Myles Turner was introduced, and the game quickly took on the familiar physical tone these matchups have been known for, with Ryan Rollins and Tyrese Haliburton getting tangled up in an altercation that added to the tension.
Indianas starters answered with the kind of first-half showing that tends to travel well into the regular season. Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam were all in the middle of the action, while Ivica Zubac helped steady the defensive end as the Pacers built their edge with activity on both ends. It was the sort of stretch that suggested Indiana was less interested in the preseason label and more focused on sending its own message. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Make Final Roster Cuts With One Veteran's Future Unclear
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Johnsons situation is the one worth watching from here, even if there is no sign of an immediate reunion. The earliest he could return is Nov. 5, 2026, and general manager Chad Buchanan said the Pacers will keep evaluating roster needs as the year unfolds, which leaves the door open for future moves if circumstances change. [Read more 🡒]
Former Pacers Pick Is Suddenly Making A Case In Milwaukee
As the Pacers get ready to close out the preseason against Milwaukee, there is at least one familiar name on the other bench worth keeping an eye on. The Bucks have four former Pacers on their roster, and rookie guard Kam Jones has been the one drawing the most attention after turning heads with his work over the summer and into exhibition play.
Bucks assistant coach Jenkins praised Jones development, pointing to clear growth on offense and better activity on defense. Jones already flashed that progress with a 23-point outing in 22 minutes against the Chicago Bulls, and now he is trying to carry that momentum into his second NBA season as Milwaukee keeps sorting out what it has in a young backcourt option who once belonged to Indiana. [Read more 🡒]