[HitsterParticipant]

 With a lot of talk about Boston having that very nice pick from the Nets don’t forget Toronto are sitting pretty getting the lesser of Denver or Knicks’ pick this summer. This is currently 8th on the mock drafts, I was wondering what Toronto may do with it?

The Raptors key target this summer will be to resign DeMar DeRozan which would put them around or above the new salary cap level. DeRozan’s intentions will surely be a key to what they do with the pick, if they feel he may move, they could try to flip it for a proven player or a possible long term replacement. If DeRozan is likely to stay they look at their biggest needs and draft accordingly.

Their biggest need is probably PF if we assume that DeMarre Carroll will return to fill SF role. Their current starting PF Luis Scola is a FA this summer and is 35/36 and Patrick Patterson is having to cover minutes at SF in Carroll’s absence.

Guys like Ivan Rabb who is right in their draft range would seem like a nice fit or maybe more NBA ready Senior Brice Johnston whose comparison is Taj Gibson and could possibly fill the sort of role Taj has done for the Bulls down the years. Fellow Senior SG Buddy Hield is also in their draft area and might be considered as a safety net in case DeRozan moves on or to give backcourt scoring from the bench and reduce Lowry and DeRozan’s workload.

If anyone currently higher up the draft happened to fall on draft night then the Raptors would be sitting in a great position to snap them up.

 

 

 

 

[username_takenParticipant]

 But I think that they could try to package it for a young high quality stretch 4 or something along those lines. It would be nice for Toronto to add a high quality young prospect to the roster but they should focus on trying to win in the weak Eastern conference while their window is open.

[username_takenParticipant]

 But I think that they could try to package it for a young high quality stretch 4 or something along those lines. It would be nice for Toronto to add a high quality young prospect to the roster but they should focus on trying to win in the weak Eastern conference while their window is open.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Henry Ellenson is likely going to be the target for Toronto. He brings exactly what the team needs at PF, spacing and rebounding.

Dragan Bender would be a great add but he will likely be gone. Diamond Stone could also provide some spacing yet is more of a Center. So the other possibility becomes…

Skal Labissiere. Alot of people are gonna say he shouldn’t even be drafted blah blah blah. The truth is he shouldn’t be playing C in Kentucky’s system. He is better off playing SF but has no ball dribbling skills. He is way to thin to play C because he has a narrow frame and slight build yet he still is effective as a weak side defender/shot blocker and for a player his size he had a great deal of skill and perimeter moves. Now he has shown a lot of weakness in not being able to handle the role given to him by Calipari but that role doesn’t match his strengths at all.

Jonathan Jeanne could be a sleeper if the Raptors dont mind waiting for their investment to develop. They also have a late 1st to try to add immediate talent or vice versa depending on how they draft in the lottery.

I’m sure they will evaluate how compatible guys like Rabb, Poetl, Sabonis, Zimmerman, Stone, Jones and Diallo are and workouts will be important to see who could potentially spread the floor. Which brings me to the 2nd pick the Raptors own 1st rounder.

This is a fun pick. They can take BPA like Caris Levert. They can take a stash guy or another PF. Lots of options but my favourite option is. Pascal Siakam.

Siakam is very underrated. He has shown a willingness to shoot that outside shot is willing to bang and he physical and has the NBA athletisism a PF needs. Very good option here. Nigel Hayes is another stretch 4 that makes sense here.

 Another under the radar guy would be Marqueese Chris yet I don’t think he would be available this late and he may not be worth the lottery pick as he projects to be a 3 and D guy.

The Raptors have a lot of stash options here too with Jaun Hernangomez, Petr Cornelie, and Zhou Qi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Henry Ellenson is likely going to be the target for Toronto. He brings exactly what the team needs at PF, spacing and rebounding.

Dragan Bender would be a great add but he will likely be gone. Diamond Stone could also provide some spacing yet is more of a Center. So the other possibility becomes…

Skal Labissiere. Alot of people are gonna say he shouldn’t even be drafted blah blah blah. The truth is he shouldn’t be playing C in Kentucky’s system. He is better off playing SF but has no ball dribbling skills. He is way to thin to play C because he has a narrow frame and slight build yet he still is effective as a weak side defender/shot blocker and for a player his size he had a great deal of skill and perimeter moves. Now he has shown a lot of weakness in not being able to handle the role given to him by Calipari but that role doesn’t match his strengths at all.

Jonathan Jeanne could be a sleeper if the Raptors dont mind waiting for their investment to develop. They also have a late 1st to try to add immediate talent or vice versa depending on how they draft in the lottery.

I’m sure they will evaluate how compatible guys like Rabb, Poetl, Sabonis, Zimmerman, Stone, Jones and Diallo are and workouts will be important to see who could potentially spread the floor. Which brings me to the 2nd pick the Raptors own 1st rounder.

This is a fun pick. They can take BPA like Caris Levert. They can take a stash guy or another PF. Lots of options but my favourite option is. Pascal Siakam.

Siakam is very underrated. He has shown a willingness to shoot that outside shot is willing to bang and he physical and has the NBA athletisism a PF needs. Very good option here. Nigel Hayes is another stretch 4 that makes sense here.

 Another under the radar guy would be Marqueese Chris yet I don’t think he would be available this late and he may not be worth the lottery pick as he projects to be a 3 and D guy.

The Raptors have a lot of stash options here too with Jaun Hernangomez, Petr Cornelie, and Zhou Qi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CavFanPRParticipant]

I would look at Brince Johnson with their top 10 pick. He could help them right away and still has potential to develop further.

[CavFanPRParticipant]

I would look at Brince Johnson with their top 10 pick. He could help them right away and still has potential to develop further.

[circumlocution75Participant]

 I don’t think Toronto could land a player who could help them significantly in the next 2 years or so….. & I’m talking about real minutes in the furnace that is the NBA playoffs……. 

But using that pick alone or as part of a package to land a solid NBA Vet….. remember these Lottery picks are Incredibly valuable to rebuilding teams…… & are very rarely ever traded…… So if Toronto could score a good, Proven, starting NBA player that would be a real boon for a franchise that is really threatening Cleveland over the next 1 – 3 years in the East……

 This is why Boston has explored trading the Brooklyn pick for help on the Low block……

[circumlocution75Participant]

 I don’t think Toronto could land a player who could help them significantly in the next 2 years or so….. & I’m talking about real minutes in the furnace that is the NBA playoffs……. 

But using that pick alone or as part of a package to land a solid NBA Vet….. remember these Lottery picks are Incredibly valuable to rebuilding teams…… & are very rarely ever traded…… So if Toronto could score a good, Proven, starting NBA player that would be a real boon for a franchise that is really threatening Cleveland over the next 1 – 3 years in the East……

 This is why Boston has explored trading the Brooklyn pick for help on the Low block……

[festar35Participant]

I would see if a team like New Orleans would be willing to do a sign ‘n’ trade for Ryan Anderson if they couldn’t sign him out right. He is an experienced stretch-4 who is in his prime and could really help create space for Jonas and Derozan, along with giving Lowry another weapon to find on the perimeter.

If Al Horford leaves Atlanta, they may look to start a rebuild and that pick could be used at acquiring Millsap who offers a bit more of an all-round game than Anderson.

There would obviously be more parts involved, but I think that it could be beneficial for all the teams.

[festar35Participant]

I would see if a team like New Orleans would be willing to do a sign ‘n’ trade for Ryan Anderson if they couldn’t sign him out right. He is an experienced stretch-4 who is in his prime and could really help create space for Jonas and Derozan, along with giving Lowry another weapon to find on the perimeter.

If Al Horford leaves Atlanta, they may look to start a rebuild and that pick could be used at acquiring Millsap who offers a bit more of an all-round game than Anderson.

There would obviously be more parts involved, but I think that it could be beneficial for all the teams.

[HitsterParticipant]

 With Boston and Toronto both likely to be drafting in much higher positions than usual due to how trades have worked out and Philly, Phoenix and Denver all holding multiple first rounders then there will be a lot of trade talk around the draft.

As said above a team like Atlanta might look to start over if Horford moved on and we have often discussed then flipping Teague or Schroeder in particular for a good draft pick. There is talk that Blake Griffin or DMC could be on the move and teams have the firepower to put a good offer together for that level of player.

Thanks for all the feedback too guys.

As Oh Canada said above the Raptors have a lot of draft options and have their own pick too of course.Masai Ujiri their GM is a canny guy and will consider all options likewise Danny Ainge at Boston always plays his cards close to his chest.

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 With Boston and Toronto both likely to be drafting in much higher positions than usual due to how trades have worked out and Philly, Phoenix and Denver all holding multiple first rounders then there will be a lot of trade talk around the draft.

As said above a team like Atlanta might look to start over if Horford moved on and we have often discussed then flipping Teague or Schroeder in particular for a good draft pick. There is talk that Blake Griffin or DMC could be on the move and teams have the firepower to put a good offer together for that level of player.

Thanks for all the feedback too guys.

As Oh Canada said above the Raptors have a lot of draft options and have their own pick too of course.Masai Ujiri their GM is a canny guy and will consider all options likewise Danny Ainge at Boston always plays his cards close to his chest.

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I would love to see Paul Millsap in a Raptors jersey. I think that would make them contenders.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I would love to see Paul Millsap in a Raptors jersey. I think that would make them contenders.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Do you not think they’re contenders now? Sure… they have a glaring hole at PF, but I still think they could challenge Cleveland. And that alone makes them contenders.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Do you not think they’re contenders now? Sure… they have a glaring hole at PF, but I still think they could challenge Cleveland. And that alone makes them contenders.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I think the Warriors, Spurs and Cavs are the only true contenders. You could make a case for OKC and Toronto but it would be a stretch…both of those teams may struggle in their 1st round series.

With Millsap it puts them in that undisputed top tier. 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

I think the Warriors, Spurs and Cavs are the only true contenders. You could make a case for OKC and Toronto but it would be a stretch…both of those teams may struggle in their 1st round series.

With Millsap it puts them in that undisputed top tier. 

 

 

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