5. Golden State Warriors – Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
Picking No. 5 may seem disappointing considering that the Golden State Warriors enter with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick, but this makes a decision a whole lot easier. Instead of having to decide between a high-ceiling, high-risk pick, the Warriors can simply take a player that they believe can help the team win now.
One potential candidate is Obi Toppin, a forward out of Dayton that has improved greatly during his two years with the Flyers. Toppin is coming off a season in which he averaged 20 points and eight rebounds per game on 63 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range.
Toppin is a great athlete that is a great finisher at the rim and has the ability to be a capable defensive force that can guard a myriad of positions. Toppin is a player that will be able to contribute right away and perhaps even carry a significant role for the Warriors during his rookie season.
Plus, it’d be hard to find a prospect that wouldn’t fit next to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.