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3 realistic options for the Cavaliers at #5 in the 2020 NBA Draft

By Robbie DiPaola

Dayton Flyers big Obi Toppin dunks the ball. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Dayton Flyers big Obi Toppin dunks the ball. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Obi Toppin, Cleveland Cavaliers
Dayton Flyers big Obi Toppin dunks the ball. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Realistic Cleveland Cavaliers target #2: Obi Toppin

Obi Toppin redshirted at Dayton in 2017-18, and seemingly out of nowhere grew to become the best player in college basketball last season. At 6-foot-9 and 220 pounds, Toppin was a high-flyer last season that showed explosiveness around the rim and also had a solid shooting touch from the outside a bit.

Toppin averaged 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game on his way to winning both the Wooden and Naismith awards last season. Toppin also shot 39.0 percent from beyond the arc as a redshirt sophomore last season.

While the Cavaliers do have Kevin Love at the starting power forward position, constant trade rumors are surrounding the Cavaliers big man, and Toppin would be an excellent replacement should Cleveland eventually deal Love at some point.

Toppin will be 22 years old when the new season tips off and would be older than Collin Sexton, Garland, and Kevin Porter Jr. While he was the star at Dayton last year, he looked to be a team-oriented guy and did well despite having teams scout specifically to stop him. Toppin looked to also be a quality leader on the court, and despite being a rookie, could wind up being one of the team leaders earlier on than in other situations.

The concerns about Toppin mainly come on the defensive end. He would have to bulk up his 220-pound frame in order to deal with some of the bigger forwards in the league. Toppin does have excellent leaping ability to block shots and grab rebounds but appears to lack an overall side-to-side quickness to stay with quicker players on the perimeter.

Toppin’s overall ceiling does not appear to be as high as Okoro, but he seems to have one of the higher floors of the top prospects. While he may never be a superstar, Toppin could be a quality starter for the Cavaliers for several years by way of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Another option for Cleveland with the fifth overall pick could be a player with tremendous upside coming from overseas.