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

NotMyKawhi · Post #501 » by **NotMyKawhi** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 2:15 pm

3 of our top 4 bigs r free agents (gasol, ibaka and boucher)

we have 2 players at least under contract at each other position. Pretty confident we take a big

Psubs · Post #502 » by **Psubs** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 2:42 pm

NotMyKawhi wrote:3 of our top 4 bigs r free agents (gasol, ibaka and boucher)

we have 2 players at least under contract at each other position. Pretty confident we take a big

That's what I'm thinking.

Daniel Oturu
Jalen Smith
Zeke Nnaji
Paul Reed
Luka Garza

HeadtopChunes · Post #503 » by **HeadtopChunes** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 2:54 pm

NotMyKawhi wrote:3 of our top 4 bigs r free agents (gasol, ibaka and boucher)

we have 2 players at least under contract at each other position. Pretty confident we take a big

I don't agree with this for 2 reasons

1) Big men are the easiest position to get decent players for next to nothing cash wise. Don't see the point in drafting one when you can just sign one.

2) As a team that probably intends to compete next season, relying on an unproven rookie for more than backup minutes is probably a bad idea. Most of the names mentioned in this thread will likely start as G-league level guys

So if either way you are going to pay for a center, don't see any reason to draft one. Especially if they don't have the ceiling of a top 10 center in the league. Which makes them highly replaceable.

TorontoBaller · Post #504 » by **TorontoBaller** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:03 pm

LJKO wrote:It's time for Masai to find us a Stretch PF/C whose good at rebounding, defending, and GET THAT GARBAGE OUTTA HERE rim protector

like boucher?

Psubs · Post #505 » by **Psubs** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:17 pm

TorontoBaller wrote:
LJKO wrote:It's time for Masai to find us a Stretch PF/C whose good at rebounding, defending, and GET THAT GARBAGE OUTTA HERE rim protector

like boucher?

Boucher is too weak/light. Unless can get a taller version.

Kevin Willis · Post #506 » by **Kevin Willis** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 5:40 pm

HeadtopChunes wrote:
NotMyKawhi wrote:3 of our top 4 bigs r free agents (gasol, ibaka and boucher)

we have 2 players at least under contract at each other position. Pretty confident we take a big

I don't agree with this for 2 reasons

1) Big men are the easiest position to get decent players for next to nothing cash wise. Don't see the point in drafting one when you can just sign one.

2) As a team that probably intends to compete next season, relying on an unproven rookie for more than backup minutes is probably a bad idea. Most of the names mentioned in this thread will likely start as G-league level guys

So if either way you are going to pay for a center, don't see any reason to draft one. Especially if they don't have the ceiling of a top 10 center in the league. Which makes them highly replaceable.

We also have two developing bigs in Hernandez and Konate. So any big we choose needs to be better than these two. Both have been hurt a lot so it's hard to tell but we're not empty of bigs in our system. I understand the logic because of our free agents but we'll keep at least 1, probably 2, and we can sign a filler. BPA.

Psubs · Post #507 » by **Psubs** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:52 pm

Kevin Willis wrote:
HeadtopChunes wrote:
NotMyKawhi wrote:3 of our top 4 bigs r free agents (gasol, ibaka and boucher)

we have 2 players at least under contract at each other position. Pretty confident we take a big

I don't agree with this for 2 reasons

1) Big men are the easiest position to get decent players for next to nothing cash wise. Don't see the point in drafting one when you can just sign one.

2) As a team that probably intends to compete next season, relying on an unproven rookie for more than backup minutes is probably a bad idea. Most of the names mentioned in this thread will likely start as G-league level guys

So if either way you are going to pay for a center, don't see any reason to draft one. Especially if they don't have the ceiling of a top 10 center in the league. Which makes them highly replaceable.

We also have two developing bigs in Hernandez and Konate. So any big we choose needs to be better than these two. Both have been hurt a lot so it's hard to tell but we're not empty of bigs in our system. I understand the logic because of our free agents but we'll keep at least 1, probably 2, and we can sign a filler. BPA.

They are like lotto tickets gotta add more. We hit last year with TD. Konate was also undrafted but was injured. Might as well by another couple of big tickets. It's like the Blue Jays drafting more pitchers lately since the farm system was thin in pitching but had a lot of position players. If you're going after guards then they have to be better than TD and Thomas.

Raptors signed Davis, Thomas and Boucher, so there's a variety.

Dalek · Post #508 » by **Dalek** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:54 am

I have finally found my guy within the Raps range that would be a great fit with upside.

Joel Ayayi from Gonzaga checks the boxes for me:

-Good size 6-5
-Speed matched with skill - good handle and can make difficult pocket passes
-Just turned 20 years old
-Plays international ball for France -year round hooper
-Won a title with Gonzaga as their lead guard
-Nearly 7 boards a game shows his aggressiveness
-Can make quick decisions but plays at his own pace
-Has to engage on defense more but he is toolsy getting into lanes and fighting through screens
-Huge statisical year to year leap across the board (went from playing 5 mins last year to 30 this year)

Watch on YouTube

TRex520 · Post #509 » by **TRex520** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 12:02 pm

I like Mamadi Diakite as a PF, even small ball 5. Should fit modern era of NBA. Proven championship caliber (NCAA Champ with Virginia last year). Also started basketball late, so he should still have some room for improvement, even a senior already.

Watch on YouTube

http://www.newsbasket-beafrika.com/2020/02/ncaa-after-six-years-of-learning-mamadi-diakite-is-already-ready-for-the-nba.html

Psubs · Post #510 » by **Psubs** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:38 pm

TRex520 wrote:I like Mamadi Diakite as a PF, even small ball 5. Should fit modern era of NBA. Proven championship caliber (NCAA Champ with Virginia last year). Also started basketball late, so he should still have some room for improvement, even a senior already.

Watch on YouTube

http://www.newsbasket-beafrika.com/2020/02/ncaa-after-six-years-of-learning-mamadi-diakite-is-already-ready-for-the-nba.html

He's like Capella 2.0. Possibly able to develop a passable 3-pt shot.

Here are his senior season highlights. I think his ceiling is Ibaka.

Watch on YouTube

Mark_83 · Post #511 » by **Mark_83** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:53 pm

Psubs wrote:
TRex520 wrote:I like Mamadi Diakite as a PF, even small ball 5. Should fit modern era of NBA. Proven championship caliber (NCAA Champ with Virginia last year). Also started basketball late, so he should still have some room for improvement, even a senior already.

Watch on YouTube

http://www.newsbasket-beafrika.com/2020/02/ncaa-after-six-years-of-learning-mamadi-diakite-is-already-ready-for-the-nba.html

He's like Capella 2.0. Possibly able to develop a passable 3-pt shot.

Here are his senior season highlights. I think his ceiling is Ibaka.

Watch on YouTube

He has really nice athleticism and mobility. I hesitate to call him fluid, but he moves better than most 4s and 5s. I definitely see parts of Ibaka in his game. Hopefully he's there at 58 or we can finally buy a mid 2nd rounder.

Psubs · Post #512 » by **Psubs** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 4:04 pm

Mark_83 wrote:
Psubs wrote:
TRex520 wrote:I like Mamadi Diakite as a PF, even small ball 5. Should fit modern era of NBA. Proven championship caliber (NCAA Champ with Virginia last year). Also started basketball late, so he should still have some room for improvement, even a senior already.

Watch on YouTube

http://www.newsbasket-beafrika.com/2020/02/ncaa-after-six-years-of-learning-mamadi-diakite-is-already-ready-for-the-nba.html

He's like Capella 2.0. Possibly able to develop a passable 3-pt shot.

Here are his senior season highlights. I think his ceiling is Ibaka.

Watch on YouTube

He has really nice athleticism and mobility. I hesitate to call him fluid, but he moves better than most 4s and 5s. I definitely see parts of Ibaka in his game. Hopefully he's there at 58 or we can finally buy a mid 2nd rounder.

If they do a combine and he tests well, he could go late 1st round. If the Raptors think that he could hold down the 5 like Ibaka then they should take him at #28.

BoyzNTheHood · Post #513 » by **BoyzNTheHood** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:51 pm

Pascal is bigger than Diakite. If you're drafting him it's definitely not to be a full time C

Psubs · Post #514 » by **Psubs** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:29 pm

BoyzNTheHood wrote:Pascal is bigger than Diakite. If you're drafting him it's definitely not to be a full time C

Some sites have him the same as Pascal at 6'9, 230 lbs. If he gets even stronger with his 7'3" wingspan he should be okay.

BoyzNTheHood · Post #515 » by **BoyzNTheHood** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 4:40 am

Psubs wrote:
BoyzNTheHood wrote:Pascal is bigger than Diakite. If you're drafting him it's definitely not to be a full time C

Some sites have him the same as Pascal at 6'9, 230 lbs. If he gets even stronger with his 7'3" wingspan he should be okay.

Pascal has a 7'3" wingspan too. Diakite is a part-time small ball Centre at best.

Psubs · Post #516 » by **Psubs** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 5:35 am

BoyzNTheHood wrote:
Psubs wrote:
BoyzNTheHood wrote:Pascal is bigger than Diakite. If you're drafting him it's definitely not to be a full time C

Some sites have him the same as Pascal at 6'9, 230 lbs. If he gets even stronger with his 7'3" wingspan he should be okay.

Pascal has a 7'3" wingspan too. Diakite is a part-time small ball Centre at best.

Isn't that what Ibaka is doing playing half the game? Raps use Boucher in that role when there's an injury and he does good enough.

BoyzNTheHood · Post #517 » by **BoyzNTheHood** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:50 am

Psubs wrote:
BoyzNTheHood wrote:
Psubs wrote:

Some sites have him the same as Pascal at 6'9, 230 lbs. If he gets even stronger with his 7'3" wingspan he should be okay.

Pascal has a 7'3" wingspan too. Diakite is a part-time small ball Centre at best.

Isn't that what Ibaka is doing playing half the game? Raps use Boucher in that role when there's an injury and he does good enough.

So we're drafting a guy to play the same position as 3 other guys on our team?

raptor jesus · Post #518 » by **raptor jesus** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:33 am

BoyzNTheHood wrote:
Psubs wrote:
BoyzNTheHood wrote:
Pascal has a 7'3" wingspan too. Diakite is a part-time small ball Centre at best.

Isn't that what Ibaka is doing playing half the game? Raps use Boucher in that role when there's an injury and he does good enough.

So we're drafting a guy to play the same position as 3 other guys on our team?

Drafting or not drafting a prospect based on positional bias is often not smart. Positions in the context of basketball are largely imaginary because roles are fluid and vary from team to team. I remember the main knock on Kawhi was that he was in between a SF and a PF, whatever that means. I'm sure Pascal was seen as not quite a modern PF and not quite a C. I'm not saying Diakete is those guys - I just think it's silly if your main knock on the guy is positional fit.

TRex520 · Post #519 » by **TRex520** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:34 am

BoyzNTheHood wrote:
Psubs wrote:
BoyzNTheHood wrote:
Pascal has a 7'3" wingspan too. Diakite is a part-time small ball Centre at best.

Isn't that what Ibaka is doing playing half the game? Raps use Boucher in that role when there's an injury and he does good enough.

So we're drafting a guy to play the same position as 3 other guys on our team?

If he is the BPA left at the time we draft then ya.

We can always flip the current players for something else, that way we address our immediate needs and have a cheap backup.

Dalek · Post #520 » by **Dalek** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:41 am

BoyzNTheHood wrote:
Psubs wrote:
BoyzNTheHood wrote:
Pascal has a 7'3" wingspan too. Diakite is a part-time small ball Centre at best.

Isn't that what Ibaka is doing playing half the game? Raps use Boucher in that role when there's an injury and he does good enough.

So we're drafting a guy to play the same position as 3 other guys on our team?

I don't know but this draft in our range there are alot of similar guys like Diakite, Precious Achiuwa, Amar Sylla. I just see them as long term projects that don't really add anything new, nor do they show high upside. Diakite is already 23.

PG is a need. Lowry is not going to play forever, and FVV is not restricted so Toronto could lose him.

Toronto should target some of the upside PGs who can score and guard, and add speed to keep Toronto's pace high:

Kira Lewis Jr -19
Joel Ayayi -20
Tyrese Maxey - 19
Devon Dotson -20
Tyrell Terry -19

Out of all those guys only Terry projects as an iffy defender but he could be a great scorer similar to Trae Young. Given their age these guys do one year in the G-League and then they can play rotation minutes for Toronto, possibly as starters down the line.