2020 NBA Draft: Obi Toppin could be a steal outside the top 5

Obi Toppin could end up being the biggest steal in the 2020 NBA Draft where he’s projected to be taken outside the top 5.

The 2020 NBA Draft class might be viewed as weak and without a clear top overall prospect. That doesn’t mean there won’t be stars to emerge, and that many valuable rotation players can’t be developed.

Although, one player that isn’t getting quite the traction that he probably should be is Obi Toppin. The Dayton Flyers lead man is entering the NBA Draft after a sensational sophomore season in which he averaged 20 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal on 63 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range.

Standing at 6-foot-9 and a 7-foot-2 wingspan, you can make the case that Toppin is exactly the type of big that you want in the modern NBA. He’s one of the most athletic players in this class, is a great finisher around the basket, and can even hit the 3-point shot at a serviceable level.

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He’s arguably one of the most NBA-ready players in this draft class and, in the right situation and system, could even step into a starting or big rotational role during his rookie season. For any team picking in the top 10 looking for an immediate impact, Toppin should be close to the top at their big boards.

If nothing else, because of his maturity at 22 years old, Toppin could be a solid role player for any team. He has the skills and attributes you look for on both ends of the floor – whether that be a super sixth man or the first big off the bench.

With that said, there are reasons why not to like Toppin in the top 5. Even though he has the measurables to be a good all-around player, there’s no telling whether he’ll be a good defender at the next level.

On paper, there’s no reason not to believe that he won’t be. Though, being a versatile defender and the college level isn’t the same as being one at the NBA level. In the modern game, that’s exactly what you expect Toppin to be – a versatile big on both ends of the floor.

If any big is taken in the top 10, there’s really no argument for the prospect not to be versatile (and useful) on both ends of the floor. If that’s really the hesitation when it comes to Toppin as a prospect, it’s understandable.

The last thing any team in the lottery wants to do is spend a high pick on a player that will be forced off the floor by the new pace-and-space NBA.

Another possible concern with Toppin is his age. Let’s not beat around the bush. Toppin is 22 years old. To put that into perspective, both LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards will be 19 years old when the 2020-21 season begins. That means both Ball and Edwards will be in year three before they even hit the age that Toppin is already at.

That means three years of development that any team would be losing when taking Toppin, which makes it even more imperative that he be that NBA-ready prospect that many believe he can be. There’s a legit case to be made that if Obi Toppin were two years young, he’d be getting some top 3, or perhaps even No. 1 overall pick, hype.

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There’s certainly some risk if any team elects to take Obi Toppin with a top 5 pick, but should he be taken outside the top 5 there’s a chance that he could end up being one of the better players from this draft class. And could perhaps even have a bigger impact sooner than those taken higher than him.