Official Draft Thread: Toronto Raptors pick 20th, 37th, 59th
 

The draft takes place on June 26th, at 8:00 PM. I figured I'd make a thread to keep all Raptors draft related news in.

Who do you want us to draft? Who should we be looking at?

Draft time is always a very exciting time around the NBA, so let's begin the discussion now with the pre draft combines taking place, and the anticipation building.

I have one hope and that is for LaVine to drop to us. He is crazy athlethic and if he can transition into the PG position the NBA he can be really good with his explosiveness.

Intrigued by a couple of players- Clint Capela and Thanasis Antetekoumpo.

Ehh IMO Giannis' bro is not as near as good a prospect as him.

If we could snatch Gordon, Lavine, or Ennis (some sites have them going pretty low), I'd be happy.

Probably true, but he's a better defender and a true SF and fits with our needs.

Any of:

E. Payton
Z. Lavine
J. Young
A. Payne
TJ Warren


If they drop then maybe: Stauskas, Ennis, Harris

I'd love to see Ennis drop to us, and have Lowry mentor him for the next 3 years until he's ready to take over. That way we can focus on improving in other areas, plus I think him and Lowry would work well together much like Vasquez and Lowry worked because of Ennis' ball handling ability and unselfishness. Lowry could still play the 2 in that lineup, and not have to be relied upon every second of the game that he's in to be the playmaker.

That's not to say I don't like Vasquez, because he was very good for us in the 2nd half of the year, but I think getting Ennis would be a real upgrade, maybe not next year, but as soon as year 2 or 3.

The only issue is that Chicago has 2 picks ahead of us, because outside of them, it's hard to see some of the other teams before us taking Tyler.

I think Stauskas will be gone before 14th unfortunately. His work ethic and his drive to become more than just a shooter was on full display last year, as he improved a ton, stepping into being the primary perimeter player on his team. He's going to be an awesome fit on a winning team one day, and I hope he goes to a good organization that develops his skillset, and doesn't just turn him into a spot up player who goes by the wasteside until he becomes a free agent.

Also, Payne would be a steal if he dropped to 20. He's going to be a very solid pro, and at worst, will be the 1st big off of the bench for a team IMO. Stretch bigs who are tough and can also play inside are at a premium nowadays and he fits the bill. He'll be coveted around the NBA in a few years IMO.

Draft Express has us taking Payne and NBA.net has Payne at #24. Not that these mock drafts are all that reliable but I could see him going 16-early 20's

Raps could get thannis at 37 and hopefully get Ennis at 20th.

What ever happened to Tomislav Zubcic?

#20 Payne, Stauskus (if he drop)
#37 Jarnell Stokes, Inglis, really like Stokes I think his the guy that will surprise everybody his stock is rising, I will not be surprise if we take him at 20 that move will surprise a lot of people maybe if Masai thinks we could get Inglis @37 then this will make sense
#59 ejim or bachynski or powell

What are everyone's thoughts on Glen Robinson III?

Glenn Robinson III | NBADraft.net

It might have been a custom roster but he had 90+ Potential rating in 2k13 :cookie:

For me :
#20 a) Hood b) Warren c) GR III d) Payne
- big"ish" wings off the bench that can score/hopefully defend and a rotation big in Payne

#37 a) McGary b) Tavares c) Austin d) Young
-backup centres/bigs to give JV a blow

#59 a) J. Carson b) X. Thames c) D. Burton d) Bachynski
-third pg or a canadian back up centre

Or trade any of these in combo deals for Chandler/Mozgov

Young is a lottery pick

If you're looking for a SF to put in the starting 5 I think K.J. McDaniels is a better fit than TJ Warren. Warren is the better offensive player but McDaniels is better in transition, 3's, defense and at the foul line.
If its off the bench than McDaniels is better because the Raps need someone that can create their own offence when Lowry and DeRozan are not on the court.

I've really come to like the idea of Payton or Ennis - in that order but I've been a fan of Payne for awhile. My ideal is Payne and Thanasis but I'd be ok with Payton/Ennis and McGary. Some combination of the 5

Based on the interview with Masi and Steve Russell of the Toronto Star...
“I think we've painted the picture a little bit if we had a bigger wing, if we had a shot-blocker,” Ujiri said.

At the 20th pick the raptors could go for K.J McDaniels. He's sorta the same size as TRoss and DD, but plays bigger / more aggressive imho.

He averaged these raw stats this season:
17.1 pts / 45.9fg% / 30.4 3pt% / 84.2ft% / 7.1 reb / 1.1 stls / and 2.8 blks in 33.7mins.

He has warts like everyone else at this range but his immediate skill set he can bring to the Raptors fits the bill. Defensive role player on the wing. His rebounding and block shots would complement the other starting 5 while his shooting is not ideal.

Masi also stated he's looking to keep Kyle, Patterson, Vasques and De Colo. Assuming these players do return it makes sense for Masi to draft the best possible small forward or center as these positions lack good depth. Problem is I don't see any good centers at this range.

If Payne or Ennis slip, either would be a good get, and proof that BPA approach is taken (as PF and PG are our two deepest positions).

Assuming both are gone, Payton at PG or McDaniels at SF are my two picks. Both have potential for elite defense, and play well within a team concept.

At 37, Inglis is the one guy who's caught my eye, but I haven't done as much 2nd round thinking yet. At 59 pretty much a crapshoot.

If a point guard is taken ala Ennis that would probably mean one of the raptors point guards are not returning. In truth Ennis would be cool to have as a third string guy and would hate to lose either Lowry or Vasques.

If a power forward is drafted that might signal PP or TH may not return.

Or it might not mean anything at all either as Masi could build depth so he can make trades.