NBA Draft 2020: 5 best fits for Obi Toppin

4. Charlotte Hornets

There are better fits for Charlotte than Toppin in the top 10 (Okongwu and Devin Vassell, for example), but they are certainly a team that could use Toppin’s skill set in their lineup. None of the Hornets’ traditional big men are particularly inspiring but with budding elbow creation expert P.J. Washington as the long-term 4 option, Toppin might make sense as a complementary pairing, reminiscent of Orlando’s Aaron Gordon/Jonathan Isaac marriage.

While both players will be playing plenty of 4, it is fairly easy to play them together, because they likely will not overlap much in where they will succeed on the floor. Toppin acting as the roll man and help defender in the center of the floor while Washington operates out of the post and on the elbows is nicely complementary, and Toppin will certainly have opportunities for creation when Washington sits.

The Hornets need a competent big man option that can provide an outlet for Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, and Malik Monk out of the pick-and-roll. While putting Toppin in that spot does give up a lot of size, this is an environment where Toppin could provide a significant positive contribution, even if it’s an imperfect fit.