Warriors select high-flying forward in latest NBA Mock Draft from CBS Sports

In the latest mock draft from Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, the Golden State Warriors landed Dayton’s high-flying prospect Obi Toppin with the No. 2 pick.

With more teams being eliminated from the 2020 edition of the playoffs, draft season is beginning to heat up outside of the Orlando Bubble. Following the lottery, mock drafts are rolling in with predictions for how the board will read in November.

After the first overall selection by the Minnesota Timberwolves, eyes immediately shift to what Bob Myers and the Golden State Warriors will do at No. 2. With the championship core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green still in place, the Warriors are in a unique situation for a team on the clock early in the draft.

If they don’t opt to trade the pick, Myers and Steve Kerr could look for a prospect that can contribute to Golden State’s climb back to the playoffs as soon as next season.

In Matt Norlander’s latest mock draft for CBS Sports, Dayton’s Obi Toppin lands in the Bay Area. According to Norlander, Toppin’s “all-around repertoire, and stellar reputation” make him a tough prospect to pass on at No. 2.

Via CBS Sports:

You’ll see other mocks slide James Wiseman here, and I can see that, but I’ll stick with Obi Toppin. He’s far from polarizing, but I do think opinions drift interestingly on Toppin, who is 22 years, and that could be used against him. I think Toppin’s range is No. 1 to No. 6 in this draft. His all-around repertoire, and stellar reputation, has turned him into the kind of prospect that general managers will find hard to pass on…

View Norlander’s full breakdown of Toppin to Golden State and the rest of the CBS Sports Mock Draft here.

In his final season at Dayton, Toppin averaged 20 points on 63.3% shooting from the field with 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assist, 1.2 blocks and one steal per contest. As a redshirt sophomore, the 6-foot-6 forward flashed glimpses of a long-range jumper, shooting 39% from beyond the arc on 2.6 attempts per game. Toppin’s performance at Dayton earned him AP National College Player of the Year honors.

The Brooklyn native came in as the No. 7 prospect on the Warriors Wire 2020 Big Board.

Toppin’s tenacious athleticism would immediately add another high flyer alongside Eric Paschall and Marquese Chriss in Golden State’s frontline. Toppin’s finishing around the rim would give Curry and Green another lob threat on the floor in Kerr’s fast-paced offense. As he continues to develop his 3-point shot, Toppin could fit in next to Paschall and Jordan Poole to create a youth movement off the bench in Golden State.

If the Warriors decided to go small, Toppin could slide in alongside Green at center or power forward in Kerr’s rotation. Toppin could benefit from being on the court next to a player with the defensive prowess of Green.

 

With the draft slated to move back to November 18, Myers and Kerr will have time to do their homework on Toppin and the rest of the 2020 draft class.

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