NBA Draft Discussion Part 10

[douggood]

9. Toronto Raptors
Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm
Germany | TS%: 61.1


Essengue's predraft officially started on Sunday when he departed Ulm following Game 3 of the German league playoffs, landing in Toronto for a secret private workout before flying to New York City for the green room participants' media day. He is also expected to meet with the Nets while in New York City, and has picked up significant interest from the Suns, who could very well select him should he fall to No. 10.

Essengue's length, mobility and defensive versatility would certainly fit the Raptors' DNA, even if his inconsistent perimeter shooting would create some challenges in spacing the floor effectively for the likes of Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. His youth, tools, two-way instincts and rapid rate of improvement this season suggest a high ceiling that some teams in this part of the draft could surely want to tap into. -- Givony

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45559441/2025-nba-mock-draft-latest-first-second-round-predictions-all-59-picks

not so secret anymore

[Federalies]

Moving down in the draft to trade RJ Barrett for Cam
Johnson is an insane move from my perspective.
The absolute worst draft day outcome. That’ll be evidence
that Masai has botched the re build or that Rogers has already
begun meddling and we’re headed back to the Araujo days.

I appreciate but don’t get this position at all. If by rebuild you mean the multi-year tank then yes, it’s over!

That said, it was over the moment they were able to trade 2 overpaid bench players and a late first for BI, an often injured but immensely talented offensive player. His 3 yr deal is effectively an under market 2 yr prove it contract so that’s your new window.

The East is wide open and as much as I like RJ, there won’t be enough touches for him as they will go to BI, Scottie and IQ. There’s only one ball and you need quality high impact/ low usage players around those three like Jak. Enter the Cam Johnson possibility, he does everything we hope Gradey or Jakobe will become in a taller form and who can defend his position decently. He is a high percentage, high volume movement shooter who actually makes the variety of tough three’s this team needs now and over the next few years. No one we can get at #9 steps into the starting lineup this year and can do that. The fact we’d likely also get some combination of picks #19, 22, 26 or 27 means we’ll still get decent cost controlled players who might actually be something in a few years while taking advantage of a week East now!

[MavCarter]

Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm
Germany | TS%: 61.1

Essengue's predraft officially started on Sunday when he departed Ulm following Game 3 of the German league playoffs, landing in Toronto for a secret private workout before flying to New York City for the green room participants' media day. He is also expected to meet with the Nets while in New York City, and has picked up significant interest from the Suns, who could very well select him should he fall to No. 10.

Essengue's length, mobility and defensive versatility would certainly fit the Raptors' DNA, even if his inconsistent perimeter shooting would create some challenges in spacing the floor effectively for the likes of Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. His youth, tools, two-way instincts and rapid rate of improvement this season suggest a high ceiling that some teams in this part of the draft could surely want to tap into. -- Givony

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45559441/2025-nba-mock-draft-latest-first-second-round-predictions-all-59-picks

not so secret anymore

Does that mean we’re the only team he worked out for? Yeah i think its going to be noa or khaman. Slight chance pels go khaman nets go noa and kon falls

[TNRaps4life]

So Noa worked out for Raptors

[Anticon]

Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm
Germany | TS%: 61.1

Essengue's predraft officially started on Sunday when he departed Ulm following Game 3 of the German league playoffs, landing in Toronto for a secret private workout before flying to New York City for the green room participants' media day. He is also expected to meet with the Nets while in New York City, and has picked up significant interest from the Suns, who could very well select him should he fall to No. 10.

Essengue's length, mobility and defensive versatility would certainly fit the Raptors' DNA, even if his inconsistent perimeter shooting would create some challenges in spacing the floor effectively for the likes of Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. His youth, tools, two-way instincts and rapid rate of improvement this season suggest a high ceiling that some teams in this part of the draft could surely want to tap into. -- Givony

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45559441/2025-nba-mock-draft-latest-first-second-round-predictions-all-59-picks

not so secret anymore

Does that mean we’re the only team he worked out for? Yeah i think its going to be noa or khaman. Slight chance pels go khaman nets go noa and kon falls

Either one seems like a promising outcome. The worry is if both go 7 and and 8.

[TNRaps4life]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

[bboyskinnylegs]

we really brought him in for a workout here? Noa-lytics ftw

[Godaddycurse]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45559441/2025-nba-mock-draft-latest-first-second-round-predictions-all-59-picks

not so secret anymore

Does that mean we’re the only team he worked out for? Yeah i think its going to be noa or khaman. Slight chance pels go khaman nets go noa and kon falls

Either one seems like a promising outcome. The worry is if both go 7 and and 8.

then we get one of fears/kon/tre. win win

[Godaddycurse]

we must've gave noa a promise for him to ditch his team

[Raptorfan2012]

Moving down in the draft to trade RJ Barrett for Cam
Johnson is an insane move from my perspective.
The absolute worst draft day outcome. That’ll be evidence
that Masai has botched the re build or that Rogers has already
begun meddling and we’re headed back to the Araujo days.

People were raising the Magic up the standings with the Bane trade; Cam Johnson offers a similar skill set as Bane. Around the same age as BI and Poeltl; will fit nicely to our core.

[ArthurVandelay]

A private workout leaked 24 hrs ahead of the draft???

Hmmmm

I think both parties are using the other

[LoveMyRaps]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

[WuTang_OG]

Ha nice scoop by Givony

Raps love their secret private workouts lol

he's the pick

[MavCarter]

we must've gave noa a promise for him to ditch his team

He still met with the nets after the workout so i doubt it. Raptors probably dont want to give a promise with a chance of maluach being there

[LoveMyRaps]

Damn man, we’re really drafting Essengue?

[Mark_83]

How likely is Essengue to be there if we trade down? Still hoping for another pick.

[Tha Cynic]

Raptors have had a few private workouts haven't they. They do enough where you still have no clue who they're truly interested in.

All the reports basically leave us back at zero again lol. I'm hoping for a big trade

[LoveMyRaps]

These measurements at the age of 18…

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

[PushDaRock]

we must've gave noa a promise for him to ditch his team

Doubt it was an actual promise but likely some very strong interest shown on our part to get him here.

[douggood]

2nd youngest player in draft