Multiple reports this week have indicated that the Cavaliers appear to be zeroing in on Israeli wing Deni Avdija and Dayton forward Obi Toppin with the fifth overall pick in next Wednesday’s draft.
John Hollinger of The Athletic wrote within his mock draft on Tuesday that Avdija and Toppin are the only two names he has heard connected to Cleveland at No. 5. Jason Lloyd of The Athletic followed that up by writing this morning that the Cavs’ choice “seems to be down to” those two players.
Sources tell Lloyd that Cavs general manager Koby Altman is high on Toppin, while several other members of his staff are leaning toward Avdija.
There’s a widespread belief that LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and James Wiseman will be the first three players to come off the board in the 2020 NBA draft, in some order. If that’s the case, the Cavs can be confident that at least one of Toppin or Avdija would be available at No. 5. It’s not clear which direction they’d go if both players are still on the board, though it’s worth noting that Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported on Thursday that executives believe Avdija won’t slip past No. 5.
The Cavs have used their last two lottery picks on guards – Collin Sexton and Darius Garland – and have a number of veteran bigs up front, including Kevin Love, Andre Drummond, and Larry Nance Jr. As such, Avdija’s fit on the wing is obvious.
Toppin’s fit is less clear, since he’s a power forward and the Cavs already have a few options there. However, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com has said for weeks that some members of the organization think the roster could use another long-term frontcourt piece, with Tristan Thompson facing free agency and Drummond on an expiring deal. There are also some concerns about Toppin’s defense, but his shortcomings on that end aren’t considered a deal-breaker for Cleveland, per Fedor.
Cavs are going to muck this draft up as well smh. With either a PF who’s offensive skill might not translate and him being a terribly bad defender or a Euro kid who’s not elite at any one thing and will also probably get burned on defense. Sucks.
Or it is a smokescreen and they take Okongwu/Okoro
I’m hoping for Okongwu. I think he has the safest floor and still a very high ceiling.
I can see them moving the pick if Avdija is taken before they pick.
if i were the cavs and Drummond opts out, i try and do a sign and trade for harrell and send kevin love to clippers. maybe get back pat beverly or lou williams as well to help mentor garland and sexton
Ew no harrell is so overrated. He mastered exploiting a watered down regular season. He is a liability when it really matters(not a rim protector, cant shoot, suspect post defense)
i dont disagree with you but at least you can clear love and gain roughly 10 mil in cap space. and get a mentor in lou williams for sexton and garland since they are “the future” as of now
Lol. What is Lou Will going to mentor them in? How to date two girls that get along? Delly is probably as good of a mentor as Lou Will.
they are both shooters like lou. maybe he can teach them some things. idk maybe he cant but again at least you get rid of loves contract
Love to Clippers is interesting, I like that. That would make NBA fun in LA.
I would not mind a trade for the three Celtic picks! But the defensive deficiencies of Toppin will not be as prevalent in the RS. Being able to resist Zion rooting you out is a very high standard; it’s okay if he doesn’t meet it, and that’s not a popular offense now anyway. Drummond is there now to cover mistakes. Toppin is not without vertical too.
Thing is, his shooting & scoring reflexes are like a guard’s. And he can’t complain about Ohio! About Adija, I worry about a fit between Cleveland and Tel Aviv.
About Okoro, I have to worry about a guy who went straight for Bruce Pearl. Wiseman reaches farther than Toppin, but has not yet shown the skills… one cannot forgive every prospect for being young… some will never have the skills. Lamelo I would take first but I doubt he drops far if at all.
This could be a smokescreen for Okongwu. Must research him. Looks like Halliburton is an option at 5 too.
People also forget about Francis…never see him mentioned here
Both those are solid picks. Plus taking a PF means they can move Love. I don’t see Bulls passing on Deni. You can’t go wrong with Toppin or Okongwu. Both will be solid NBA players. Both are safe picks. I’d love for one of them to fall to #8.
Go with Toppin.
Most of the league’s defense isn’t great – that’s why they have an award for the better ones.
Not saying he’ll ever be Durant, but we heard more about Durant being unable to bench 135 lbs during his pre-draft time more than we heard anything about his defense.
If they project him as a high volume scorer, they should take him!
Um… So using that logic, most of the league’s players aren’t very good, that’s why they give an MVP?