Raps 2020 Picks (Prospect Watch, Update: Vecenie Mock Released)

[Mark_83]

I have a sneaking suspicion that either Boston or Toronto promised Xavier Tillman in the first round. Tillman just makes so much sense with our centre uncertainty this offseason plus a guy who fits the culture of the Raps and has the defensive IQ to play in Nurse's system. I think Nurse will have some input on guys wrt who has the aptitude to learn and execute our defensive philosophy

I am sure he can pick the defensive concepts up, but my worry is his offensive game. He doesn't shoot much, has limited post moves relying on strength that won't work in the NBA. He also is pretty undersized as a C. If you are going for a C, wouldn't Oturo be better in every aspect?

Oturo just doesnt have the shooting touch or mobility to defend. Every scout and analytics guy I know on twitter literally raves about Tillman. It reminds me a lot of how they said some smart team will take a chance on Brandon Clarke despite the age stuff and will look really incredibly intelligent doing it. I feel the same about him.

He does have pretty good shooting touch but you're right about his mobility. He's got slow, heavy feet, and he's not an elite leaper either. Tillman blocked him 3 times in the post without even jumping. I have no interest in Oturu. The shooting and measurements are not enough for me to buy on him.

[Mark_83]

I have a sneaking suspicion that either Boston or Toronto promised Xavier Tillman in the first round. Tillman just makes so much sense with our centre uncertainty this offseason plus a guy who fits the culture of the Raps and has the defensive IQ to play in Nurse's system. I think Nurse will have some input on guys wrt who has the aptitude to learn and execute our defensive philosophy

I am sure he can pick the defensive concepts up, but my worry is his offensive game. He doesn't shoot much, has limited post moves relying on strength that won't work in the NBA. He also is pretty undersized as a C. If you are going for a C, wouldn't Oturo be better in every aspect?

Tillman eventually developing a shot is likelier than those other prospects overcoming their flaws and reaching their ceilings, IMHO. Especially with our development system. By most accounts, he'll also have a high floor as a rookie and will come in ready to contribute, which is very valuable if we lose one of Ibaka/Gasol.

The size concerns are relevant however, and we don't know how he'll fare against legit NBA 7 footers. But he's super smart, has good motor and is very strong, so may be he could develop into some version of Bam Adebayo.

Unfortunately for us and because of the success Bam is having, other teams are also starting to see this so he might be long gone by the time we're up.

I'm not too worried about the size. He's got the exact same measurements and weight as Al Horford, who was playing center for Boston even before everyone started to go small. In fact, I see his upside as being Horrors lite.

I don't really see Adebayo mostly due to measurements and athleticism. Bam is a physical freak: 6'8 with a 7'3 wingspan, chiseled 250 pound frame, and a 38 inch max vertical.

[Syd-TK3]

Saw that the Ringer did an update of their board and noticed some curiosities:

Tyrell Terry (9)
Poku (15)
Isaiah Joe (26)
Ty-Shon Alexander (30)
Yam Madar (34)
Killian Tillie (37)
Grant Riller (42)

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/

I think all of those a bit against the consensus and their draft board last year was really solid. Alexander at 30 is not a player I had considered as a first rounder, so that is a bit shocking. They have Toronto drafting Robert Woodard Jr. which I think is a poor fit.

Madar all the way up to 34 ahead of Riller is strange to me. They don't even list Skylar Mays.

Their way too low on Theo at 27
I was hoping Tyshon kept staying underated so we could potentially get him at 58 but the ringer putting him on

[nabbs]

To me I go Tillman and Mays. Alternatively I take a flier on a wing in the second round. Think given we want to compete Tillman makes too much sense.

Can always find guards/wings undrafted

[nabbs]

Sam Vecenie now has us taking Zeke Nnaji

[HeadtopChunes]

Sam Vecenie now has us taking Zeke Nnaji

I wouldn’t mind this, most mobile big in the draft and a good bet to shoot

[nabbs]

Sam Vecenie now has us taking Zeke Nnaji

I wouldn’t mind this, most mobile big in the draft and a good bet to shoot

If the Raps trust their program and staff to turn him in to at least a net positive defender then I definitely see the intrigue. It would be nice to have a guy who can finish with both hands in the post and hit a mid range jumper. I think my big man preferences are:

TIllman
Zeke
Reed

[Psubs]

I am sure he can pick the defensive concepts up, but my worry is his offensive game. He doesn't shoot much, has limited post moves relying on strength that won't work in the NBA. He also is pretty undersized as a C. If you are going for a C, wouldn't Oturo be better in every aspect?

Tillman eventually developing a shot is likelier than those other prospects overcoming their flaws and reaching their ceilings, IMHO. Especially with our development system. By most accounts, he'll also have a high floor as a rookie and will come in ready to contribute, which is very valuable if we lose one of Ibaka/Gasol.

The size concerns are relevant however, and we don't know how he'll fare against legit NBA 7 footers. But he's super smart, has good motor and is very strong, so may be he could develop into some version of Bam Adebayo.

Unfortunately for us and because of the success Bam is having, other teams are also starting to see this so he might be long gone by the time we're up.

I'm not too worried about the size. He's got the exact same measurements and weight as Al Horford, who was playing center for Boston even before everyone started to go small. In fact, I see his upside as being Horrors lite.

I don't really see Adebayo mostly due to measurements and athleticism. Bam is a physical freak: 6'8 with a 7'3 wingspan, chiseled 250 pound frame, and a 38 inch max vertical.

Horford is a nice comp for Tillman. Good passer, not a freak athlete but smart defender. Could develop a 3 in his mid to late 20's.

[LoveMyRaps]

Bane and Perry still remain my guys. Can't wait for draft night.

[Syd-TK3]

Sam Vecenie now has us taking Zeke Nnaji

Not really interested in Nnaji when it come to the options for bigs

[HolyMage110]

Bane and Perry still remain my guys. Can't wait for draft night.

big fan of reggie perry. seems like such a masai pick too

[Dalek]

Post-Lottery Bleacher Report has Toronto selecting Devon Dotson. I like this pick because the speed and scoring skill is there. I feel like he could be a new wave Lowry in time.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2905484-2020-nba-mock-draft-1st-round-predictions-after-lottery-results

In a separate article they mention that Jalen Smith might sneak into the lottery and that RJ Hampton might fall out of the first. Raps should look deeply at taking if he is there at 29:

Teams don't sound as high on Hampton as they did earlier in the season, when many projected a lottery pick despite his decision to play in the NBL over the NCAA. While his explosiveness for a 6'5" guard always suggested upside, he didn't showcase any signature skill in Australia for scouts to feel confident.

I've started to hear late-first to early second-round grades from teams on Hampton, who combined to shoot 3-of-19 in exhibition games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grlzzlies when the New Zealand Breakers visited the United States in October 2019.

All it takes is one of 30 teams to buy into his athleticism and versatility while having patience with his shot and IQ. But he's definitely lost supporters, and he now sounds vulnerable to sliding.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2905180-2020-nba-draft-lottery-buzz-the-mystery-begins-right-at-the-top

[BallstriKer]

We might need to move up to 25 at least if we're serious about drafting Tillman. I strongly suspect Boston will pick him at 26 given the opportunity, he makes so much sense for them too.

Masai is not really a guy that moves up in the draft though, so unless Boston packages that pick to a lottery team looking to move down, we might need to start talking ourselves into a different pick.

[nabbs]

We might need to move up to 25 at least if we're serious about drafting Tillman. I strongly suspect Boston will pick him at 26 given the opportunity, he makes so much sense for them too.

Masai is not really a guy that moves up in the draft though, so unless Boston packages that pick to a lottery team looking to move down, we might need to start talking ourselves into a different pick.

Unless they really love a guy Masai and co won’t move up. I suspect they will try to move down. Philly is an option as they have multiple picks in the second round

[Dennis 37]

I hear Raptors won the 29th pick in the draft lottery.

I start to wonder about space on our roster. Is Malcolm Miller gone to make room for the first rounder? Will the 2nd round pick be better than Brisset or Watson?

I wish the NBA had an MLB or NHL type minor system, where you could have space to develop a number of 2nd rounders, rather than just giving up on them because you don't have roster space.

[Psubs]

Post-Lottery Bleacher Report has Toronto selecting Devon Dotson. I like this pick because the speed and scoring skill is there. I feel like he could be a new wave Lowry in time.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2905484-2020-nba-mock-draft-1st-round-predictions-after-lottery-results

In a separate article they mention that Jalen Smith might sneak into the lottery and that RJ Hampton might fall out of the first. Raps should look deeply at taking if he is there at 29:

Teams don't sound as high on Hampton as they did earlier in the season, when many projected a lottery pick despite his decision to play in the NBL over the NCAA. While his explosiveness for a 6'5" guard always suggested upside, he didn't showcase any signature skill in Australia for scouts to feel confident.

I've started to hear late-first to early second-round grades from teams on Hampton, who combined to shoot 3-of-19 in exhibition games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grlzzlies when the New Zealand Breakers visited the United States in October 2019.

All it takes is one of 30 teams to buy into his athleticism and versatility while having patience with his shot and IQ. But he's definitely lost supporters, and he now sounds vulnerable to sliding.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2905180-2020-nba-draft-lottery-buzz-the-mystery-begins-right-at-the-top

Raptors can afford to let Hampton develop PG skills and shooting with the 905 for 2 years. I guess right now, he's a worse shooting, better passing Josh Green.

https://ca.nba.com/news/nba-draft-2020-rj-hampton-scouting-report-strengths-weaknesses-and-player-comparison/ctzo399rynrs1buego62i21zo

He was a 5-star recruit.

An absolute blur in transition he was a one-man fast break in the NBL and created a huge amount of easy buckets off turnovers, long rebounds, and even made baskets. The ability to score in transition against a defence that isn't set makes Hampton a player who can get buckets without needing a play called for him. When he gets the ball and takes it 94 feet for a layup four seconds into the shot clock those points can feel like found money.

Him and TD running the Bench Mob would be great!

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Watch on YouTube

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Lamelo has more usage than RJ and more PG skills at this point, but damn RJ looks so fast for 6'5! I did see him go left a couple of times (even though he still finished with his right hand).

Watch on YouTube

His shooting form looks smooth.

[Psubs]

I hear Raptors won the 29th pick in the draft lottery.

I start to wonder about space on our roster. Is Malcolm Miller gone to make room for the first rounder? Will the 2nd round pick be better than Brisset or Watson?

I wish the NBA had an MLB or NHL type minor system, where you could have space to develop a number of 2nd rounders, rather than just giving up on them because you don't have roster space.

Miller is gone like McKinnie. Watson takes his wing spot. Brissett needs more seasoning in the 905. I would say that the 2nd round pick could be on par with Watson and Dewan.

Uhm, the G-League is the minor league system.

[Indeed]

I hear Raptors won the 29th pick in the draft lottery.

I start to wonder about space on our roster. Is Malcolm Miller gone to make room for the first rounder? Will the 2nd round pick be better than Brisset or Watson?

I wish the NBA had an MLB or NHL type minor system, where you could have space to develop a number of 2nd rounders, rather than just giving up on them because you don't have roster space.

We will probably have 9 players committed on roster (including Johnson), and if we re-sign any two of VanVleet, Ibaka, Gasol, we would be 11 players. Adding our draft picks, we would be 13 players. And the remaining players to re-sign are RHJ, Boucher, Miller. May also promote Watson, Brissett from 2-way.

Personally if we are not able to re-sign Ibaka or Gasol, we may add someone from FA. Meaning we can only re-sign one of RHJ, Boucher, Miller (or Watson). I prefer a big, which could be Boucher.
(Ibaka/Gasol/FA)
Siakam/Boucher?
OG/Powell/Johnson
Lowry/Davis/Thomas
(VanVleet)/McCaw
D-League:
Hernandez/1st round pick/2nd round pick
-- ^ 15 contracts ^ --
two way (Watson?)/two way (Brissett?)

Another option is for us to make a trade. Ignore the minimum contracts (Hernandez/Thomas/Davis), and we cannot trade Johnson with his player option, meaning our options are McCaw and Powell (after we re-sign and understand our cap/tax). McCaw expiring would be the easiest trade option, and he could be redundant if we promote Watson.

[JShuttlesworth]

I hear Raptors won the 29th pick in the draft lottery.

I start to wonder about space on our roster. Is Malcolm Miller gone to make room for the first rounder? Will the 2nd round pick be better than Brisset or Watson?

I wish the NBA had an MLB or NHL type minor system, where you could have space to develop a number of 2nd rounders, rather than just giving up on them because you don't have roster space.

I think we have 8 players under contract next season (currently) and only 3 for the following season.

Space isn't an issue for us

[Dennis 37]

I hear Raptors won the 29th pick in the draft lottery.

I start to wonder about space on our roster. Is Malcolm Miller gone to make room for the first rounder? Will the 2nd round pick be better than Brisset or Watson?

I wish the NBA had an MLB or NHL type minor system, where you could have space to develop a number of 2nd rounders, rather than just giving up on them because you don't have roster space.

Miller is gone like McKinnie. Watson takes his wing spot. Brissett needs more seasoning in the 905. I would say that the 2nd round pick could be on par with Watson and Dewan.

Uhm, the G-League is the minor league system.

In the NHL and MLB, all of the minor league players, on their affiliate minor league teams, are under minor league contracts to the parent club. They just can't take off, like Justin Anderson, and go the Nets without the Nets/Raptors agreeing on a trade. Right now, the Raptors only have rights to the two two-way players. All other Raptors 905 players, except those with a Raptors NBA contract (Dewan), are essentially free agents. If an NBA team wants them, they can leave. Any development costs, or future plans the Raptors may have had for them, are gone.

IMO all of the players on the Raptors 905 should be under minor league contracts tied to the NBA Raptors organization.