Obi Toppin, the Cavaliers “were not sold” on the forward defense before the draft

Obi Toppin is a member of the New York Knicks in part because the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t like what they saw on the defensive side.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, “The Cavaliers weren’t sold for Toppin’s defensive ability at number 5” on draft day. As a result, he slipped to the Knicks to number 8.

It makes sense from Cleveland’s point of view that he was concerned about the defense. He finished the 2019-20 season last in the league on the defensive standings, according to NBA .com, and sought to bolster his prowess on that side of the ball with Auburn’s Isaac Okoro.