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

[DelAbbot]

Obi looks similar to Amare in that they both have a slight hunch.

Obi does not have Amare's strength (upper and lower body). Obi is an unpolished low post player because of that. Right now he looks like a SF with no lateral quickness.

Amare combined strength and explosive athleticism and had very advanced post play even coming out of HS.

Starting to ramp up some scouting. General thought: I don't think I've ever seen a prospect resemble a former NBA'er more than Obi Toppin resembles Amare. I don't just mean style of play, either; everything Toppin does movement wise looks so similar to Amare.

I certainly wouldn't call Amare's post game "advanced". He did most of his damage around the rim as a roller/slipper. One on one, he had some spin dribbles and face-up straight line drives in his bag, but he was never a guy who punished his opponents down low with his wits and footwork. He relied mostly on his athleticism, which is why he became drastically less effective at the NBA level as that athleticism declined. Plus, post play isn't exactly a hot commodity in today's league, so if that's one of Toppin's main knocks, well, there could be worse things. Now, I have no idea if Toppin's gonna be any good, let alone anywhere near as good as Amare, but I was really struck by the similarities in their games aesthetically.

Edit: In Mike Schmitz's film breakdown, he calls Toppin "one of the most efficient post scorers in college basketball".

I agree that Amare's post game was not "advanced" in the way of e.g. Al Jefferson (footwork/moves/counters), but Amare's athletic ability enabled him to finish plays in the post few big men could. I should rephrase it as - Amare was an above average post player even in rookie year. I checked out some Obi's highlights and while there are flashes of Amare, but not at the same level of Amare bullying in the post by strength and athleticism.

[Psubs]

Leandro Bolmaro is interesting to me too

6-7 guard, decently athletic, great handles, strong finisher, good vision, a strong point of attack defender.

Needs to improve shooting and strength but def a first-round talent IMO

Watch on YouTube

At best he's Rudy Fernandez.

Would rather use the 1st pick on a big, as I can see some lottery talented bigs drop to the 20s.

[raptor jesus]

The more I look into this draft, the less I like it at the top. If I were to trade up, I'd be aiming towards to the mid-late lottery to get Isaac Okoro. He has a great physical profile to pair w/ a decent skill foundation, already showing the ability to create some offence for himself off the dribble as a freshman. If he can refine his jumper, he could be an excellent two-way player.

[HeadtopChunes]

Leandro Bolmaro is interesting to me too

6-7 guard, decently athletic, great handles, strong finisher, good vision, a strong point of attack defender.

Needs to improve shooting and strength but def a first-round talent IMO

Watch on YouTube

At best he's Rudy Fernandez.

Would rather use the 1st pick on a big, as I can see some lottery talented bigs drop to the 20s.

there are 2 or 3 bigs in this whole draft who I consider lottery quality (in general not just to this class) and I don't any of them falling.

[HeadtopChunes]

The more I look into this draft, the less I like it at the top. If I were to trade up, I'd be aiming towards to the mid-late lottery to get Isaac Okoro. He has a great physical profile to pair w/ a decent skill foundation, already showing the ability to create some offence for himself off the dribble as a freshman. If he can refine his jumper, he could be an excellent two-way player.

Okoro would be a good get, although at that range I'd probably target Theo Maldeon.

Trading up should be cheaper this year since the higher picks have less value, but that could prevent trades since

a) teams wouldn't wanna give up anything significant to move up
b) teams wont sell for meh assets and rather just take their guy

will be interesting whenever it happens

[Psubs]

The more I look into this draft, the less I like it at the top. If I were to trade up, I'd be aiming towards to the mid-late lottery to get Isaac Okoro. He has a great physical profile to pair w/ a decent skill foundation, already showing the ability to create some offence for himself off the dribble as a freshman. If he can refine his jumper, he could be an excellent two-way player.

Okoro would be a good get, although at that range I'd probably target Theo Maldeon.

Trading up should be cheaper this year since the higher picks have less value, but that could prevent trades since

a) teams wouldn't wanna give up anything significant to move up
b) teams wont sell for meh assets and rather just take their guy

will be interesting whenever it happens

Is Okoro like the 6'6 version of Okogie?

[HeadtopChunes]

The more I look into this draft, the less I like it at the top. If I were to trade up, I'd be aiming towards to the mid-late lottery to get Isaac Okoro. He has a great physical profile to pair w/ a decent skill foundation, already showing the ability to create some offence for himself off the dribble as a freshman. If he can refine his jumper, he could be an excellent two-way player.

Okoro would be a good get, although at that range I'd probably target Theo Maldeon.

Trading up should be cheaper this year since the higher picks have less value, but that could prevent trades since

a) teams wouldn't wanna give up anything significant to move up
b) teams wont sell for meh assets and rather just take their guy

will be interesting whenever it happens

Is Okoro like the 6'6 version of Okogie?

that's not a bad comp although i'd say Okoro has more ball skill and is a better finisher, slightly worse on-ball defender though.

probably will shoot as well as Okogie which is to say not at all. Hard to take a D and no 3 wing too high IMO, you'd be banking on the defense having to become elite and the ball-handling to workout or else you just have MKG.

[_MidNight_]

I just want someone with the skill set of OG + play making.

6'8"-6'10" Good defender, hit's 3's and the ability to dribble the damn ball and run the offense.

These players are usually in the lottery tho so Masai has his work cut out for him.

So you want Masai to pull off another Pascal. If he didn't do it once already I'd say there was no chance.

Pascal is a 4/3.. I want a natural SF that's big enough to play the 4 in spot minutes. Essentially I'm looking for our SF of the future.

[Psubs]

I just want someone with the skill set of OG + play making.

6'8"-6'10" Good defender, hit's 3's and the ability to dribble the damn ball and run the offense.

These players are usually in the lottery tho so Masai has his work cut out for him.

So you want Masai to pull off another Pascal. If he didn't do it once already I'd say there was no chance.

Pascal is a 4/3.. I want a natural SF that's big enough to play the 4 in spot minutes. Essentially I'm looking for our SF of the future.

OG is the SF for the future.

PG FVV - Davis
SG Powell - Davis
SF OG
PF Siakam - Boucher
C ........

We need to be looking for our C of the future. Powell can play backup SF mins.

[Psubs]

https://balldurham.com/2020/03/31/duke-basketball-cassius-stanley-money/

I still like Cassius Stanley. I see him as at worst a more athletic Josh Hart. At best I see Derozan with a smooth jumper. When his supreme athleticism doesn't get him to the buck for a monstrous dunk, he just finishes so well with contact in the lane with nice finger rolls and floaters.

Watching him and TD off the bench! He could spend a bit of time in the 905 unless he makes the leap like TD.

[Bull-E]

Hard for me to say we need to draft for a specific need when we have such a good player development system. I'd be more inclined to use the draft for secure top, versatile talent, regardless of position or profile. Go after undrafted guys and free-agent "redrafts" to fill specific needs.

Last time we gunned to fill a need at SF in the draft, Bruno AND DeAndre Daniels were picked while Nikola Jokic and Spencer Dinwiddie were left on the board.

In a perfect world this year, I actually believe the Raptors brass may prefer to draft-and-stash so as not to mess with the cap sheet, plus we already have quite a bit of young talent in the system.

[Psubs]

Hard for me to say we need to draft for a specific need when we have such a good player development system. I'd be more inclined to use the draft for secure top, versatile talent, regardless of position or profile. Go after undrafted guys and free-agent "redrafts" to fill specific needs.

Last time we gunned to fill a need at SF in the draft, Bruno AND DeAndre Daniels were picked while Nikola Jokic and Spencer Dinwiddie were left on the board.

In a perfect world this year, I actually believe the Raptors brass may prefer to draft-and-stash so as not to mess with the cap sheet, plus we already have quite a bit of young talent in the system.

I guess, give Hernandez and Konate a shot. Not many international players. Maybe Masai trades the 1st pick for a top 3 protected 2021 1st pick (double cohort)?

[Bull-E]

I think 2022 is the double-cohort year, but you got the right idea. Though it'd be madness for another GM to give up a draft pick for that draft unless a star is coming their way.

[Psubs]

I think 2022 is the double-cohort year, but you got the right idea. Though it'd be madness for another GM to give up a draft pick for that draft unless a star is coming their way.

Maybe more college players will declare the year before in 2021.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/azxkas/double_draft_in_2022_is_a_myth_the_statistical/

[Psubs]

I see Pokusevski and Sylla in a 2021 mock, I think Masai could possibly take Poku or Sylla to stash a year or so until Giannis arrives.

[BoyzNTheHood]

https://balldurham.com/2020/03/31/duke-basketball-cassius-stanley-money/

I still like Cassius Stanley. I see him as at worst a more athletic Josh Hart. At best I see Derozan with a smooth jumper. When his supreme athleticism doesn't get him to the buck for a monstrous dunk, he just finishes so well with contact in the lane with nice finger rolls and floaters.

Watching him and TD off the bench! He could spend a bit of time in the 905 unless he makes the leap like TD.

His handle is laughably bad, which is a major issue. I can see him having a Shannon Brown type of career, but not much more.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Some new mocks have him dropping to the 2nd round.

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/ #37

https://www.si.com/nba/2020/03/31/nba-mock-draft-march-madness-canceled #48

https://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2020/03/30/2020-nba-mock-draft-opi-toppin-anthony-edwards/ #33

http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/2020-2nd-round.html #31

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2020-nba-mock-draft-lamelo-ball-is-the-no-1-overall-pick-goes-higher-than-brother-lonzo-ball-did/ Not in top 30.

No chance he drops to us. Book it.

No change OG would drop to us after being a projected top 5 pick. Embiid didn't drop out of the top 10, yet OG dropped into the 20s.

Comparing OG to Embiid is hilarious. Nice try.

[Indeed]

The more I look into this draft, the less I like it at the top.

This draft is weak, no clear cut tier 1, as the top picks share some weaknesses. Meanwhile, next draft can be stacked, and the following draft without one-and-done rule (including high school). With most teams having a farm system, allowing high school isn't a bad thing for teams to gamble.

This draft seems to have a lot of big PGs, while we got Davis last year, not sure the BPA would be another big PG.

[Tortiglioni]

Bring him home.

[Ell Curry]

Tillman brings little offensively at the moment but his shot doesn't seem broken and he can pass a bit. Defensively he's fantastic at switching. I see him as a 2nd rounder, but he could be a modern day Chuck Hayes or Jason Collins type since defending the post is now switching 1-5. Would love it if we got him with our 2nd rounder if he drops.

This is off topic from the thread and random but I had totally forgotten about Jason Collins.

I looked up his basketball reference page and I was actually surprised how good his resume looks.

He was in the league for 12 years playing 20 minutes per game. His stats don't stand out at all but he was a starter for the Nets that made the playoffs 5 straight seasons. He played 26 minutes per game during the playoffs for the Nets team that made the finals.

In comparison, Chuck Hayes' resume does not really compare well to that.

Disagree.

From 2003 to 2009, Hayes had the second highest defensive adjusted plus-minus of all NBA players.[10] Through December 25, 2009, Hayes had the fifth highest overall adjusted plus-minus for the 2009–10 NBA season.

Chuck Hayes ruled. Was the 12-14th best player in his draft year, so honestly if we got a guy like him at 27 or whatever we pick in this weak draft it would be very good, I'm just greedy from the Siakam and Norm picks (OG I knew was good) and Masai finding even better players that late.

Tillman's RAPM numbers are incredible, I forgot to mention. Like he's the best Big 10 center by them ahead of guys like Oturu or Luke Garza (who probably won't stick in the NBA but is truly dominant offensively in college) or Jalen Smith. They say he's the communicator who runs their D and getting a guy like that with Gasol and Lowry being so old might be something we need, even if we have smart defenders as part of our first half of the 2020s core in Siakam and Anunoby so need it less than most teams. To conclude my rambling, a defensively awful team like the Wizards should draft Tillman if he's around for their 2nd pick (37th).