NBA Mock Draft 5.0: How high can Obi Toppin fly?

At his idealized ceiling, Anthony Edwards is a high-level, high-volume, high-efficiency scorer, the kind of player who has the ball in his hands, making big decisions and big shots for his team. That player template wouldn’t seem to have place on the Atlanta Hawks, who already have Trae Young at point guard and a wing rotation of shooters and defenders being built around him. But, with Clint Capela and John Collins penciled in as starters, they don’t have obvious frontcourt holes that can be filled at this slot and there aren’t any high-end 3-and-D options who demand to be taken here either.

While he may not be a great fit at his ceiling, it could take Edwards a while to even get there, especially as he works through issues with effort and decision-making. Right now the Hawks don’t have any other threatening shot-creators on the roster and so for the next few years Edwards could work as a third-guard off the bench, acting as a secondary creator next to Young or becoming the fulcrum when Young rests. Edwards probably has the highest upside of anyone left on the board, so the Hawks can take him and worry about the fit later.

Learn more about Anthony Edwards with our full scouting report.