2023 Draft Discussion Part 4

[HumbleRen]

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aye man, if hes in shape .. he's my pick lol.

[gbball]

Durant!!!

What about Koloko? I thought that was his main advantage over Kessler.

Koloko is better on the perimeter. Unfortunately, that's the only thing he's better than Kessler at. Shooting as well but that's not saying much considering how bad Kessler is. Excited to see if Koloko can make some improvements in the offseason. I like his potential.

I think it's a major plus for him. But Kessler is far better on offense. I do think if Koloko and Kessler traded teams, Koloko would've looked better than he did here and Kessler would have looked worse than he did in Utah, but there is still a major talent gap on offense.

Koloko seems to have similar impact as a rim protector.

Perimeter defense: Koloko >> Kessler
Offense: Kessler >>> Koloko
Rim protection: Koloko = Kessler
Size/Athleticism: Koloko = Kessler (could make a slight argument in favor of either)
Shooting: I like Koloko's upside here, but I don't know enough about Kessler's shooting to make a comparison

That's how I see it. Koloko is still a pretty raw and he wasn't in a great situation to shine with our poor spacing, lack of lob passes, and lack of pick and roll opportunities, which he would have benefitted from in Utah.

I'd be surprised if Koloko doesn't catch up somewhat in terms of finishing around the rim, and I'd also be surprised if Kessler's perimeter D improves to point where he's not a liability on the perimeter in the playoffs.

For that reason I prefer Koloko's upside. We'll see what happens though.

[C_Money]

I’m just scouting the draft now for the first time and it seems like its loaded with shooters. This is great news.

[DG88]

Watch on YouTube

[OakleyDokely]

All-nba team players, TS% in draft year (NCAA players only):
Embiid: .655
Davis: .654
Sabonis: .654
Lillard: .635
Curry: .604
Butler: .587
SGA: .578
Randle: .567
Tatum: .566
Fox: .549
Mitchell: .534
Jrue: .532


Freshman:
T Hendricks: .589
B Sensabaugh: .587
B Miller: .583
G Dick: .581
C Whitmore: .571
J Howard: .562
A Bailey: .553
A Black: .549
D Whitehead: .548
C Wallace: .543
J Walker: .534
K Filipowski: .533
K George: .524
J Hood-Schifino: .492
GG Jackson: .474
N Smith: .472

Soph:
B Podziemski: .602
J Hawkins: .584
K Bufkin: .578
T Alexander: .578
M Lewis: .567
T Smith: .494

Junior/Senior:
J Strawther: .602
M Sasser: .597
C Jones: .580
K Murray: 572
J Jaquez: .543
R Council: .542
J Wilson: .540
A Jackson: .509

[grant101]

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aye man, if hes in shape .. he's my pick lol.

He's got that James Harden frame, and the shot (especially that turnaround) is money. If getting into better shape unlocks additional energy and athleticism (especially on D), and our FO buys his attitude and work ethic, he's a no-brainer.

[Yallbecrazy]

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aye man, if hes in shape .. he's my pick lol.

He's got that James Harden frame, and the shot (especially that turnaround) is money. If getting into better shape unlocks additional energy and athleticism (especially on D), and our FO buys his attitude and work ethic, he's a no-brainer.

It's not just his defense though, it's his passing that was terrible too. I get that he's the most gifted scorer in this class, but he seems like the one dimensional scorer that most fan bases hate.

[raincityraptors]

I believe part of the reason very few people at the draft saw Scottie becoming a Rookie of the Year type was because he started his one and only year in college with a hip injury. Bobby said it wasn't just that season of work that they drafted him on.

There are 3 intriguing talents in this year's draft that had their seasons limited by injuries:

Dariq Whitehead

Nick Smith Jr

Keyonte George

I would not be surprised if any of these three went higher than projected or outperformed their draft slot.

All 3 are worth keeping an eye on.

[Raptorfan2012]

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aye man, if hes in shape .. he's my pick lol.

He's got that James Harden frame, and the shot (especially that turnaround) is money. If getting into better shape unlocks additional energy and athleticism (especially on D), and our FO buys his attitude and work ethic, he's a no-brainer.

It's not just his defense though, it's his passing that was terrible too. I get that he's the most gifted scorer in this class, but he seems like the one dimensional scorer that most fan bases hate.

True, but can Brice be a 3-level scorer in the NBA? He was pretty good with that at college. 3-level scoring is more of a unique and sought after skill - its easier to develop passing skills than being a natural scorer.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Still, Scottie Barnes BPM 7.9

Whitehead, 4
George, 5.6
Smith Jr, 0.7

I wouldn't burn a lotto pick on any of them.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[Dalek]

I think at this point I am set at Jordan Hawkins at 13. I look at a number of factors and the main one being that he gives Toronto a reliable offensive weapon and a guy at 13 that I think will be an NBA starter.

Hawkins is not just a shooter, but a truly elite scorer. His movement, speed and quick/high release kills in the modern NBA. Teams will have to close out hard on him. That previous grifter video about D1 players who draw fouls had Hawkins in there and I dug into his fouls and 23 of his fouls drawn were on three pointers. That is a huge number of fouls that could be four point play conversions.

What is exciting is he gives Toronto a pathway to play differently, moving away from ISO ball to a more eye pleasing movement style based on misdirection and smarts screens from Poeltl and Scottie and their deft passing touch from the perimeter or high post. Think of Scottie as a more diverse Draymond Green on offense and Poeltl like Kevon Looney with Hawkins operating as the Steph Curry-like threat.

While Hawkins is 6'5 and skinny he still grabs about 4 boards even with a center platoon in Klingan and Sanogo inhaling everything around him. He also competes on defense and has good wingspan. I think he will rate out at least as neutral.

Out of all the NCAA teams this year, I felt like UConn had players that equated a lot to what Toronto has - Klingan / Poeltl defensive anchor; Sanogo / Achuiwa energy big; Andre Jackson / Scottie Barnes transition threat and defender. Toronto was a .500 team because their offense tanked and they didn't have a go to weapon like UConn had in Hawkins.

[Dalek]

Still, Scottie Barnes BPM 7.9

Whitehead, 4
George, 5.6
Smith Jr, 0.7

I wouldn't burn a lotto pick on any of them.

I agree with you not because I don't think they can become viable NBA players, but all those guys will take a lot of time to adapt to the NBA and there is a risk that they don't reach their potential due to injury concerns or not being comfortable in a support role. You are practically burning away 2 years picking those guys and you may not even get an NBA starter.

[ItsDanger]

I see flaws in most of the guards in our range. Going to be very tough to choose.

You're not going to enjoy Sensabaugh's effort level on defense, lot of standing around, not getting involved. He can score but I'd be hesitant, especially with the knee history.

[BoyzNTheHood]

It’s still early and there’s a lot of pre-draft process to work through, but I’m getting the feeling we’re leaning towards GG. I don’t have any sources, but it’s just a gut feeling.

[Raptorfan2012]

I think at this point I am set at Jordan Hawkins at 13. I look at a number of factors and the main one being that he gives Toronto a reliable offensive weapon and a guy at 13 that I think will be an NBA starter.

Hawkins is not just a shooter, but a truly elite scorer. His movement, speed and quick/high release kills in the modern NBA. Teams will have to close out hard on him. That previous grifter video about D1 players who draw fouls had Hawkins in there and I dug into his fouls and 23 of his fouls drawn were on three pointers. That is a huge number of fouls that could be four point play conversions.

What is exciting is he gives Toronto a pathway to play differently, moving away from ISO ball to a more eye pleasing movement style based on misdirection and smarts screens from Poeltl and Scottie and their deft passing touch from the perimeter or high post. Think of Scottie as a more diverse Draymond Green on offense and Poeltl like Kevon Looney with Hawkins operating as the Steph Curry-like threat.

While Hawkins is 6'5 and skinny he still grabs about 4 boards even with a center platoon in Klingan and Sanogo inhaling everything around him. He also competes on defense and has good wingspan. I think he will rate out at least as neutral.

Out of all the NCAA teams this year, I felt like UConn had players that equated a lot to what Toronto has - Klingan / Poeltl defensive anchor; Sanogo / Achuiwa energy big; Andre Jackson / Scottie Barnes transition threat and defender. Toronto was a .500 team because their offense tanked and they didn't have a go to weapon like UConn had in Hawkins.

I like Hawkins as well - natural replacement and potential upgrade for GTJ should he leave. I like guys who can show up on the brightest of stages, and this kid has NCAA championship under his belt. Honestly there are like 5-6 players projected in the teens that I will be fine with the Raptors picking - Hawkins, Dick, Bufkin, Bilal, and Cissko (probably missing a few more).

[Yallbecrazy]

It’s still early and there’s a lot of pre-draft process to work through, but I’m getting the feeling we’re leaning towards GG. I don’t have any sources, but it’s just a gut feeling.

Based on Raptors drafting history I can assure you that we're not, thankfully.

[BoyzNTheHood]

It’s still early and there’s a lot of pre-draft process to work through, but I’m getting the feeling we’re leaning towards GG. I don’t have any sources, but it’s just a gut feeling.

Based on Raptors drafting history I can assure you that we're not, thankfully.

Based on our draft history? You mean the one where we constantly select 6’7” to 6’9” players with nice handles?

[Dalek]

I think at this point I am set at Jordan Hawkins at 13. I look at a number of factors and the main one being that he gives Toronto a reliable offensive weapon and a guy at 13 that I think will be an NBA starter.

Hawkins is not just a shooter, but a truly elite scorer. His movement, speed and quick/high release kills in the modern NBA. Teams will have to close out hard on him. That previous grifter video about D1 players who draw fouls had Hawkins in there and I dug into his fouls and 23 of his fouls drawn were on three pointers. That is a huge number of fouls that could be four point play conversions.

What is exciting is he gives Toronto a pathway to play differently, moving away from ISO ball to a more eye pleasing movement style based on misdirection and smarts screens from Poeltl and Scottie and their deft passing touch from the perimeter or high post. Think of Scottie as a more diverse Draymond Green on offense and Poeltl like Kevon Looney with Hawkins operating as the Steph Curry-like threat.

While Hawkins is 6'5 and skinny he still grabs about 4 boards even with a center platoon in Klingan and Sanogo inhaling everything around him. He also competes on defense and has good wingspan. I think he will rate out at least as neutral.

Out of all the NCAA teams this year, I felt like UConn had players that equated a lot to what Toronto has - Klingan / Poeltl defensive anchor; Sanogo / Achuiwa energy big; Andre Jackson / Scottie Barnes transition threat and defender. Toronto was a .500 team because their offense tanked and they didn't have a go to weapon like UConn had in Hawkins.

I like Hawkins as well - natural replacement and potential upgrade for GTJ should he leave. I like guys who can show up on the brightest of stages, and this kid has NCAA championship under his belt. Honestly there are like 5-6 players projected in the teens that I will be fine with the Raptors picking - Hawkins, Dick, Bufkin, Bilal, and Cissko (probably missing a few more).

For me it is Hawkins, Dick, and Jones (guys that I think will have long careers and have starter potential on playoff teams). After that is gets into murky territory where they may gamble on a pure upside guy (like the guys you mentioned). Maybe a Cason Wallace or Anthony Black falls to 13 and that would also be strong considerations because they fill a big need and have great upside.

[ATLTimekeeper]

It’s still early and there’s a lot of pre-draft process to work through, but I’m getting the feeling we’re leaning towards GG. I don’t have any sources, but it’s just a gut feeling.

Based on Raptors drafting history I can assure you that we're not, thankfully.

Based on our draft history? You mean the one where we constantly select productive, defense-oriented 6’7” to 6’9” players with nice handles?