The Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks reportedly engaged in trade discussions involving Obi Toppin and Maxi Kleber before the blockbuster deal that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. According to HoopsHype, these talks were only exploratory, and the Pacers ultimately did not move forward with the trade.
The potential deal would have seen the Pacers swap Toppin for Kleber, a veteran power forward who is slightly older but on a more affordable contract. This trade could have helped Indiana financially, but the team’s recent success—holding the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference—may have influenced their decision to retain Toppin.
While Dončić’s departure from Dallas in exchange for Anthony Davis shocked the NBA world, the Pacers’ involvement in trade talks adds an interesting layer to the story. As Indiana approaches the trade deadline, Toppin’s future remains a topic of discussion, though head coach Rick Carlisle may prefer to keep him given the team’s strong form this season.