Cleveland Cavaliers interested in Dayton prospect Obi Toppin

The Cleveland Cavaliers may have an interest in the former Dayton Flyer, according to Chris Fedor.

According to Chris Fedor, the Cleveland Cavaliers are in fact taking a look at Obi Toppin ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft. Toppin, a 22-year-old forward from Dayton University in southwest Ohio, is a combo-forward with incredible athleticism and the ability to be the top scorer on a successful team. He led the Dayton Flyers to a 29-2 record and was expected to be a top-seed in the NCAA tournament. According to Fedor, the team is taking a look at Toppin.

"After a handful of conversations I’ve gotten the vibe that Toppin is very much in play at No. 5. More than I originally thought. Not only would the Cavs lean on the best-player-available justification, but some in the organization see a need for another frontcourt piece — now and into the future."

Toppin is expected to be taken between the third and fifth picks. Should he actually fall to the Cavs at the fifth selection, it’s entirely possible the team could take the ultra-athletic forward. The other name that is being thrown out there for the fifth pick is fellow forward Deni Avdija. Avdija is radically different than Toppin in the sense that the offense would work best flowing through Avdija, while Toppin would be best used as an asset to another player.

Other names that could be considered at the fifth pick include USC forward/center Onyeka Okongwu and Florida State guard/forward Devin Vassell.

The Cavs have a plethora of guards and smaller players, and enough bigs to go into the season with. What they’re making are dynamic playmakers on the wings. Both Toppin and Avdija have different skillsets but both men are talented forwards, who both bring something different to the team that it currently lacks.

If Toppin is drafted, he should allow for a more explosive up and down offense but may not be the addition many think he could be. He’s criticized for not being the best defender he possibly could be. One of the biggest issues the Cavs need to improve is their defense and if that’s the game plan then Topping isn’t the guy for the team.