Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread Part 9

[3thomas]

I think BC is well aware of his new contract situation, he has to provide results, quickly. Really don't see Val as a viable option for the Raptors; he is raw needs time to develop, also don't see MLSE coughing up $500M just to bring him in when we have so many needs at other position (that will cost $500K less) if addressed via the draft.

BC himself said that our top priority defending the paint and protecting the rim can only be "temporarily" addressed via this draft; my guess he will break the peggie bank on a free agent big.

The best big in this draft is Kanter who is well known to the brace (courtsey of P.J. Carlismo who saw him first hand at the Nike Hoop summit a couple of years ago). I don't know, but my best guess would us picking Kinght or a sleeper ala BB or KL.

[Micrew18]

Can anyone tell me when the draft workouts for the Raptors starts?

[OAKLEY_2]

Even if the $3 million figure is accurate, it's still half of Rubio's buyout when he was drafted.

At first glance the buyout looks like an impediment but lets say we know he stays over for another year or God forbid two. He would not be a number 5 pick not even close. Therein lies an opportunity to trade down for him and rake in another asset. The thing that bothers me about a Val pick is finishing out the draft without any other intriguing 2011 assets added to the equation. It will look like a strike out at least in the short term.

[dagger]

Even if the $3 million figure is accurate, it's still half of Rubio's buyout when he was drafted.

At first glance the buyout looks like an impediment but lets say we know he stays over for another year or God forbid two. He would not be a number 5 pick not even close. Therein lies an opportunity to trade down for him and rake in another asset. The thing that bothers me about a Val pick is finishing out the draft without any other intriguing 2011 assets added to the equation. It will look like a strike out at least in the short term.

His agent is Leon Rose. Rose has indicated he will strike a deal at least a week before the draft. If the deal is in place, and Rose says Valanciunas will be available when the season begins (whenever that is), Valanciunas won't go any lower than he would if his contract in Europe was over.

And reading the body language of David Stern tonight, I'd say it's a safe bet that there won't be any NBA ball until January 2012. So I am not particularly concerned about 2011 assets so much as what the team will have in October 2012.

[dagger]

I think BC is well aware of his new contract situation, he has to provide results, quickly. Really don't see Val as a viable option for the Raptors; he is raw needs time to develop, also don't see MLSE coughing up $500M just to bring him in when we have so many needs at other position (that will cost $500K less) if addressed via the draft.

Except for Kemba Walker, almost anyone we draft at #5 will likely be a project.

[3thomas]

I think BC is well aware of his new contract situation, he has to provide results, quickly. Really don't see Val as a viable option for the Raptors; he is raw needs time to develop, also don't see MLSE coughing up $500M just to bring him in when we have so many needs at other position (that will cost $500K less) if addressed via the draft.

Except for Kemba Walker, almost anyone we draft at #5 will likely be a project.

Funny you mention \kemba, cause out of all the prospects available at 5, BC seems to be the least interested in him.

[PowerPhil15]

I think BC is well aware of his new contract situation, he has to provide results, quickly. Really don't see Val as a viable option for the Raptors; he is raw needs time to develop, also don't see MLSE coughing up $500M just to bring him in when we have so many needs at other position (that will cost $500K less) if addressed via the draft.

Except for Kemba Walker, almost anyone we draft at #5 will likely be a project.

Funny you mention \kemba, cause out of all the prospects available at 5, BC seems to be the least interested in him.

from what did you get this from? your cerebellum ?

[phailing101]

$500M?? WTF who let the loons out?

Kemba is not a project but he does have a low ceiling of a career 6th man. Not worth the pick.

[5DOM]

$500M?? WTF who let the loons out?

Kemba is not a project but he does have a low ceiling of a career 6th man. Not worth the pick.

[OAKLEY_2]

The thing about Kemba is even if BC thinks he's not a fit he can still pick him and trade the rights.
I'd probably take Landry Fields and the NYKs 2012 for Kemba. Kemba would slot in nicely as the Billups heir apparent. Fields is not fitting in at all with Melo after first putting up great rookie numbers. With the 2012 I'd take a hard look at UNC's Tyler Zeller.

[McFurious1]

With Val's contract it looks like its going to be Walker... and its prob the right pick he is BPA.
Get another pick and take Val later.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I think if I were BC, I'd look into acquiring another top 10 pick, to assure that I come away with 2 of Valanciunas, Leonard, Walker, or Knight.

I'd personally be happy with a Valanciunas and Walker combo, or a Walker and Leonard combo. I mean, here's a guy, in Leonard, that averaged 10 rebounds/game from the SF spot. Watching the Heat/Mavs game, I think having two potential defensive stoppers on the wings, in Johnson and Leonard would be quite interesting. And speaking of Johnson, maybe Boris' stats can shed some light on this, but is James Johnson a good defender?

I also wouldn't mind a guy like Chris Singleton either, maybe in the mid-1st range.

One thing is clear though - we need somebody who can make defences collapse, either from this draft or the next draft, and we're going to need a Gilchrist/Leonard/Barnes/Singleton type who can 'D up on the perimeter.

On the interior, I'm actually quite fine with Amir and Ed Davis. Perhaps, we could use a big body down there to complement them, but Amir and Ed are fundamentally sound defensively. Valanciunas or Kanter would suffice in a 3-big rotation. I really hope Bargnani can at least get to Rick Smits' level, passable, then all we'd need is a inexpensive Jeff Foster type or Joel Pryzbilla to be passable in the bigs department.

[ATLTimekeeper]

# That's why Toronto is strongly looking at both Bismack Biyombo and Kawhi Leonard with the #5 pick. Both would help a lot in that regard. about an hour ago
# Teams can talk about getting better defensively, but the only way to do that is to get players that are really inclined to play defense. about an hour ago
#

From DX

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

# That's why Toronto is strongly looking at both Bismack Biyombo and Kawhi Leonard with the #5 pick. Both would help a lot in that regard. about an hour ago
# Teams can talk about getting better defensively, but the only way to do that is to get players that are really inclined to play defense. about an hour ago
#

From DX

See my post above.

Kawhi Leonard would be a very solid pick.

[Silk Wilkes]

I haven't seen a lot of Kawhi Leonard so this may be an ignorant question, but what sets him apart from James Johnson besides age?

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I haven't seen a lot of Kawhi Leonard so this may be an ignorant question, but what sets him apart from James Johnson besides age?

That's a good question lol. I think it was Boris who documented through his stats, that Johnson isn't a particularly good defender, and that he often has lapses where he leaves his man uncontested. Perhaps, it might be just be Leonard is more in tune defensively than Johnson.

But, make no mistake, Johnson has every bit of the tools to be a good defender, from a physical standpoint.

[tdotrep2]

I haven't seen a lot of Kawhi Leonard so this may be an ignorant question, but what sets him apart from James Johnson besides age?

A "improved shot" that he was working on, james is the better athlete but kawhi has longer arms so it pans out. James has the better handle and facilitator. There too similar to take kawhi 5 when he would give you what james does, take biyombo, knight or walker. Or trade up.

[JamesNaismith]

# That's why Toronto is strongly looking at both Bismack Biyombo and Kawhi Leonard with the #5 pick. Both would help a lot in that regard. about an hour ago
# Teams can talk about getting better defensively, but the only way to do that is to get players that are really inclined to play defense. about an hour ago
#

From DX

See my post above.

Kawhi Leonard would be a very solid pick.

If we're picking for defence....then we go Biyombo or bust.

I'm not clogging up the SF position with a player like Leonard when you look at next year's draft. The only guy SF we should even consider is DWilliams with a trade up or nothing cuz he should be as good as majority of next year's class with maybe a couple or so exceptions....KL on the otherhand; no.

[WhatsaTDot]

Kawhi Leonard? Yuck. Lets trade for Corey Brewer instead. Or get Moon back. Both are what Leonard is going to be and neither is going to cost the #5!

[bonjovi0308]

With Triano out of the picture, I think its clearer that BC is now in a win now mode. I think it greatly improves the odds of picking Kemba with no.5.