Reason #1: Game-breaking athleticism
The Cleveland Cavaliers have some nice young pieces and currently have Love, though Love will seemingly not be around to play with Toppin, and the Wine and Gold lack true consistent star level talent.
They are far from a playoff team, but have the makings of a team that could improve immensely simply through further development and a player such as Obi Toppin. The team is in dire need of players that have game-breaking ability and a capability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, and it just so happens that Toppin has serious game-breaking athleticism that will likely allow him to transition in many ways quite smoothly into the NBA.
His length and athleticism are easily the most dynamic parts of Toppin’s game at this present moment and has been a key reason he has looked like a literal man among boys this season and prior at Dayton. He’s even led his Dayton team so far to an immensely impressive 20-2 record and they are currently ranked sixth in the country in the Associated Press Poll.
He has utilized his athleticism and solid, yet improving basketball IQ which has allowed him to dominate to the tune of averaging 19.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game, as noted by Sports Reference. Toppin has done so at an incredibly efficient pace as well.
It is very reasonable to assume that he could and will continue to utilize his athleticism and length to create scoring opportunities for himself and his future NBA teammates once he reaches an NBA floor. He presents a mismatch because of how he is built and his quickness will only continue to help further his overall versatility and game.
Toppin’s athleticism and improving jumper will keep him contending for minutes on pretty much any team that drafts him come June, too. The only major concern with him thus far is he is a bit older for a top prospect, as he had spent a year at prep school and also had an academic redshirt year (h/t 247 Sports’ Evan Daniels and Josh Gershon), but him turning 22 in March should not necessarily hinder his game and development moving forward in the NBA by any means.
If he is drafted by the Cavaliers in the 2020 NBA Draft, it is more than fair to assume Toppin’s athleticism will be a major reason why he makes an immediate impact and showcases his true, two-way player potential early on as well.