Dayton power forward Obi Toppin is one of the older prospects in this year’s draft, and that could make a win-now team such as the Warriors give him a long look, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic.
Toppin is projected to be drafted somewhere in the Nos. 4-10 overall range. The Warriors are selecting second.
“With Golden State in win-now mode, and needing another four-five type, I think Obi Toppin is an interesting name here,” Hollinger said on Chad Ford’s draft podcast. “He could probably fit in offensively right away a lot better than some of these other guys.”
Ford followed Hollinger’s comments by saying the Warriors are “for sure” considering Toppin.
Memphis center James Wiseman, Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards and well-traveled point guard LaMelo Ball are widely expected to fall in the top three or four picks of the draft (in no particular order). But someone such as Toppin or Israeli forward Deni Avdija could slide in there, given all the uncertainty and team needs.
Both the Timberwolves, drafting first, and Warriors could make this draft more interesting than initially suspected. Especially when you consider the Warriors expect to contend again with the returns of a healthy Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
An older player who could contribute right away, such as Toppin, may therefore be appealing.
“He definitely can post up against switches and mash people, he’s a good passer, he runs the floor, he’s gonna be a really effective roll man in pick-and-roll,” Hollinger said. “He has a lot of ways to hurt you and create mismatches at the offensive end.”
The NBA Draft is scheduled for Nov. 18.
