Cavs: Obi Toppin-Kevin Love pairing could be a solid frontcourt duo

If the Cleveland Cavaliers draft Obi Toppin, playing him at the 5 while having Kevin Love alongside him at the 4 could be a solid duo.

As the NBA season gets set to resume in Orlando shortly, it is time for the Cleveland Cavaliers to shift into draft mode and figure out their guy and who they want in the 2020 NBA Draft.

While it has been rumored that the Cavs do not want to take a guard in this draft, albeit that could be a smoke screen, their focus could be eventually shifting to getting a young big to learn behind veterans Kevin Love and Andre Drummond. Drummond fully intends to pick up his $28.8 million player option for 2020-21, so he could aid in that.

When looking at every draft prospect and seeing how they could mesh with the team, one of my favorite things to do every year is see if one specific guy could possibly fit in a certain scheme or setup with another teammate or two. That’s relevant in regards to Dayton’s Obi Toppin, too.

When it comes to Toppin, I strongly believe that himself along with Love could be a very interesting and energetic duo for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Toppin is an athlete. He has had most of the hype surrounding him in the past year of college basketball when it comes to high flying dunks, as well as just playing around the rim. While Toppin is 6-foot-9, he would be undersized in terms of the traditional center in today’s NBA. That said, his athletic ability compliments his size very well, making him a very tough matchup at the rim.

In watching plenty of film and studying Toppin’s game, Toppin is excellent in the pick-and-roll in the rolling sense. In terms of complementing Love, Toppin would be the screener/roller and this would allow Love to handle the ball and make the veteran decision in some instances. Of course, Love is by no means a ball handler.

In some instances on the floor together, that could be the case, though, and Love can pass for a big man really well. From full court bombs to quick interior passes, I can definitely envision some lobs from Love to Toppin off of the pick-and-roll.

More from King James Gospel

• 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
• The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
• 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
• 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
• This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead

When it comes to the all-around build, I really believe that Toppin has it going for him.

Toppin, who had 20.5 points per game on 63.3 percent shooting, also shot 39.0 percent from beyond the arc last season, a very efficient mark, especially for a big man.

He could end up being a ball-swing threat for Love in passing out of the mid-post at times, and even in a PnR sense, via pick-and-pops.

Today’s NBA is a scoring and shooting league, and being a big man that can shoot from deep is a skill set that Toppin should only get better at.

Working with Love would only help that further develop, too, and lets not dismiss Toppin being a good passing big, either.

He could easily find Love if opponents help against Toppin on the inside after some drives or post-ups.

Anyhow, while it appears that nobody wants to take on Love and his massive contract just based off of how last season went and the trade deadline, there is no need to worry.

Having another veteran presence around at all times is always a win, and I strongly believe that there are multiple players in this 2020 NBA Draft class that would be able to compliment Love and this lineup very well, making for a fun new season that lies ahead.

Plus, Toppin’s help defensively as a rotator and great athlete (who had 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per outing) could aid help the likes of Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and others.