The Cleveland Cavaliers have a top-5 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Could a mid-major star forward in Obi Toppin be the right move?
In an NBA Draft with Lamelo Ball, James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards, and Deni Avdija, Obi Toppin seems to continue to draw the most speculation about where he will be selected on draft night.
While the prospects listed above are all seemingly destined to be selected with the first four picks in the upcoming draft, in no particular order, the rest of the lottery has been clouded in mystery and contingencies.
Many of the prospects that have found themselves in the middle of the lottery are not household names and will probably have casual fans scratching their heads on draft night, I am looking at you Knicks fans. However, the exception to this is Wooden Award winner and college basketball star Obi Toppin.
Even if you do not follow college basketball Toppin should be a name you’ve heard over the past year. Leading Dayton to a 29-2 record, capturing multiple awards including the Wooden Award, and being a frequent flyer on ESPN’s top 10 for his rim-rattling dunks, Toppin is a name even the casual fan has come to know.
As an NBA prospect, Toppin is much more than the awards he has won and the highlight reel he has compiled. Standing at 6-9 with a 7-2 wingspan, Toppin proved during his time at Dayton he had the physical attributes and athleticism to contribute at the next level.
The question surrounding Toppin is where he will land on draft night. Toppin’s draft stock has fluctuated as we move further away from the college basketball season but unless something unexpected happens during the first four picks of the draft the Cleveland Cavaliers are a mutually beneficial landing spot for the young star.