Disappointing after Feb. 6 — whether because they dive down the standings or lose early in the playoffs — could affect the Pacers’ approach to the 2025-26 tax. If they want to avoid it, for whatever reason, they could make a trade this summer instead of this week. They have discussed Obi Toppin, who makes $14 million next season, with other teams leading into the deadline, though there hasn’t been much traction in those conversations, according to league sources. But sending someone like Toppin into another team’s cap space during the offseason just to unload his salary could cost the Pacers a draft pick, whereas if they did a deal today, they could receive back an expiring salary and maybe wouldn’t have to part with an additional asset.