Report: Warriors ‘for sure' considering Toppin with No. 2 pick

Share

The Warriors hold the rights to the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and the expectation is they will look to trade the selection.

But if we assume Golden State stands pat, who should the franchise take?

On Monday's episode of "Chad Ford's NBA Big Board" podcast, Ford and The Athletic's John Hollinger agreed it would be a "no-brainer" for the Warriors to go with LaMelo Ball if the Minnesota Timberwolves don't choose him at No. 1 overall.

But the conversation soon pivoted.

Hollinger: "Now with Golden State in win-now mode, and needing another four-five type, I think Obi Toppin is an interesting name here. He could probably fit in offensively right away a lot better than some of these other guys."

Ford: "Yeah. Interesting. And a guy they're looking at for sure at No. 2."

Oh really now?

Golden State Warriors

Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.

Why McNutt believes Warriors' Butler has most to prove in second half

Why Steph is Bay Area athlete Chapman wishes he could embody

Toppin, the 6-foot-9, 220-pound big man from Dayton, averaged 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals during his redshirt sophomore season, while shooting 63.3 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point territory.

Download and subscribe to the Runnin' Plays Podcast

The 22-year-old was the consensus National Player of the Year.

"His offensive toolset is the most developed of any player in this draft," Hollinger said. "I actually went to Dayton to see him play, and I was really impressed just watching him pregame go through his 3-point shooting drills. Just seeing what an easy quick release it is for him. 'OK, that's gonna replicate in the NBA.'

"He definitely can post up against switches and mash people, he's a good passer, he runs the floor, he's gonna be a really effective roll man in pick-and-roll -- he has a lot of ways to hurt you and create mismatches at the offensive end.

"Now, is he going to give all that back at the defensive end? That's a question that some teams have."

RELATED: Why Warriors not using trade exception would stun Bobby Marks

After letting it be known he has Toppin at No. 8 on his big board, Ford revealed something quite interesting.

"I talked to one team that has him No. 2 on their board," he said. "There's a real range there."

Could that team be the Warriors? No clue.

The draft is scheduled for Nov. 18.

Follow @DrewShiller on Twitter and Instagram

Contact Us