The Cavaliers are too far from contention to worry about defense, frankly. Obi Toppin is a mess of a defensive player, but his offensive talents are impossible to deny. Cleveland has already invested in two subpar defenders in recent drafts — Collin Sexton and Darius Garland — but Toppin is unlikely to fall much further than this spot.
At 6-foot-10, Toppin combines great size and vertical athleticism with a wide-ranging skill set. He can space the floor, face-up and attack mismatches off the dribble, or he can play a more traditional rim-running role. He’s an explosive finisher at the rim, a highly underrated passer, and the kind of do-it-all forward who should mesh nicely with Cleveland’s young core.
Again, defense is a valid concern. While Toppin is very explosive at the rim, he struggles with lateral quickness. He cannot defend in space, and many are concerned he’s stuck between positions on defense. If he can’t move his feet against threes, yet struggles to hang with the physicality of fours, it could present problems. Alas, Cleveland swings for the perceived “best player available” and punts another season.