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

[Psubs]

I'm surprised that Tyrell Terry is even declaring for the draft as he never looked that impressive at Stanford in my eyes. He had a few good games but didn't really stand out in any aspect. If his shot wasn't falling he didn't really make an impact on the game. His defense left a lot to be desired. He was constantly getting blown past by Pac-12 pgs. He will get killed on defense by NBA pgs. In the Pac-12 tournament he only had 6 pts as Stanford lost to California (the 3rd worst team in the Pac-12) 63-51. Tyrell Terry is another Pac-12 guard that CJ Elleby is better than.

Why do you continuously post the same 4-5 videos trying to sway people? Every day the same 4-5 trying to hype Elleby

Sir-swish-a-lot is the best hype man on this board. He has to be in sales with all his pitches and his persistence.

#pac12pride

[Psubs]

I like Vassell better than McDaniels honestly

Obviously. Vassell actually played well and won games. Vassel will be gone by lottery. Mcdaniels could be there because he had a bad season. With that said Mcdaniels will never be KD. KD has an elite handle which makes KD who he is. Mcdaniels is closer to Quincy Miller than Ingram or KD.

I've had a look and I like the numbers and the eye-test and wouldn't be upset if the Raptors traded up for Vassell. Like he's shooting a higher % when getting more shots, shooting over 40% from 3 again. Maintaining an A/T of over 2.

#28, #58, Matt Thomas and 2021 2nd pick?

PG Lowry - TD
SG FVV - Powell
SF OG - Vassell
PF Siakam - OG
C Gasol - Ibaka - Boucher

Do you think Masai will just take whoever drops a la OG Anunoby?

Vassell, McDaniels, Achuiwa, Nesmith, Oturu, Carey, Maledon, Nnaji.

[Indeed]

I like Tyler Bey better than Paul Reed in the same archetype. Comparable defender, better athlete and appears like a better bet to shoot.

Theo Maledon is also interesting as a potential trade up guy, 6’5 long armed combo with interesting potential as a pull up shooter and one of the youngest guys in the draft. Similar archetype to Terry minus the potential as a special shooter but compensates w/ size and pedigree.

Maledon isn't a bad option, similar measurement as Davis, while Davis has a legit first step and hop.
From our draft history, we don't often draft guards in our 1st round, so I suspect we will look at bigs or wings in our 1st pick.

[HeadtopChunes]

I like Tyler Bey better than Paul Reed in the same archetype. Comparable defender, better athlete and appears like a better bet to shoot.

Theo Maledon is also interesting as a potential trade up guy, 6’5 long armed combo with interesting potential as a pull up shooter and one of the youngest guys in the draft. Similar archetype to Terry minus the potential as a special shooter but compensates w/ size and pedigree.

Maledon isn't a bad option, similar measurement as Davis, while Davis has a legit first step and hop.
From our draft history, we don't often draft guards in our 1st round, so I suspect we will look at bigs or wings in our 1st pick.

Yeah, that's fair I just like the guards a lot better in this class, the wings and bigs seem pretty meh to me. Although there are some nice system fits for us, nobody really excites me past the top 20.

[Kevin Willis]

Watch on YouTube

In these videos I always go to the weakness to see if it workable. I think it is. If he can be poor man's Nando De Colo, that would be a nice addition. Not my first or even second choice but a choice I wouldn't be unhappy with.

[Psubs]

I like Tyler Bey better than Paul Reed in the same archetype. Comparable defender, better athlete and appears like a better bet to shoot.

Theo Maledon is also interesting as a potential trade up guy, 6’5 long armed combo with interesting potential as a pull up shooter and one of the youngest guys in the draft. Similar archetype to Terry minus the potential as a special shooter but compensates w/ size and pedigree.

Maledon isn't a bad option, similar measurement as Davis, while Davis has a legit first step and hop.
From our draft history, we don't often draft guards in our 1st round, so I suspect we will look at bigs or wings in our 1st pick.

Agreed, when was the last time a superstar guard was drafted outside of the top 10. I doubt Masai trades #28 and a future 1st pick to move into the top 10. College basketball is filled with guards and often times, guys like FVV and Terence Davis go undrafted.

I can see Markus Howard dropping to the bottom of the 2nd due to him being 5'11. He's Isaiah Thomas 2.0. Can't see him starting but he'd be a microwave scorer off the bench.

[Indeed]

I like Tyler Bey better than Paul Reed in the same archetype. Comparable defender, better athlete and appears like a better bet to shoot.

Theo Maledon is also interesting as a potential trade up guy, 6’5 long armed combo with interesting potential as a pull up shooter and one of the youngest guys in the draft. Similar archetype to Terry minus the potential as a special shooter but compensates w/ size and pedigree.

Maledon isn't a bad option, similar measurement as Davis, while Davis has a legit first step and hop.
From our draft history, we don't often draft guards in our 1st round, so I suspect we will look at bigs or wings in our 1st pick.

Yeah, that's fair I just like the guards a lot better in this class, the wings and bigs seem pretty meh to me. Although there are some nice system fits for us, nobody really excites me past the top 20.

I agree that the wings and bigs seem worse than meh to me as well, but our track record may draft someone raw and develop him like Siakam and OG. Furthermore, Siakam wasn't even in most mock, so I am not surprised we might look further down for high upside. Outside of Delon Wright, we may look at potential 2nd round on mock drafts for raw players.

[Psubs]

Maledon isn't a bad option, similar measurement as Davis, while Davis has a legit first step and hop.
From our draft history, we don't often draft guards in our 1st round, so I suspect we will look at bigs or wings in our 1st pick.

Yeah, that's fair I just like the guards a lot better in this class, the wings and bigs seem pretty meh to me. Although there are some nice system fits for us, nobody really excites me past the top 20.

I agree that the wings and bigs seem worse than meh to me as well, but our track record may draft someone raw and develop him like Siakam and OG. Furthermore, Siakam wasn't even in most mock, so I am not surprised we might look further down for high upside. Outside of Delon Wright, we may look at potential 2nd round on mock drafts for raw players.

NBADraft.net had Siakam middle of the 2nd round. Same for Terence Davis. Just sticking up for the site I grew up referencing.

I used to post on Real GM and there was just too many people so was mainly on Hoopsworld.

There was a Miami Heat fan that worked for NBADraft.net. Jonathan Givony branched off and started Draft Express, which is now a part of ESPN. I remember playing fantasy bball on HW with him. There were a few other writers on HW like Kevin Pelton (Seattle Supersonics fan). I know back in the day, they were good at predicting obscure international drafties in the 2nd round. Thus I felt they were doing a lot of work.

I guess this is just a rant on brand loyalty.

[Dalek]

I feel like the more you get embedded in the draft process of watching tape and learning analytics about prospects the more difficult the decision is. At the back end of the first round, really you should just want a guy that is a good role player that has upside based on athletic gifts and pedigree - no need to have to convince yourself that the guys will succeed.

I think about this earlier Ringer article that talked about how wings are a commodity.

Two freshman prospects in the 2020 draft fit that mold: Josh Green (Arizona) and Cassius Stanley (Duke). They both have the combination of size, speed, and shooting ability that every NBA team needs on the wing. Both are elite high school recruits in complementary college roles. Green is playing with a pair of potential first-round picks in point guard Nico Mannion and center Zeke Nnaji. Stanley is doing the same with Tre Jones and Vernon Carey Jr.

Catch them on the wrong night and you’ll barely notice them. They spend most of their time on offense waiting for the chance to shoot. But every once in a while they will flash the potential to be much more.

https://www.theringer.com/2020/2/27/21155194/nba-draft-2020-wings-josh-green-cassius-stanley

I mean Cassius Stanley is a freak athlete who once is in the Toronto system will likely be a very good shooter. College and especially Duke has a habit of downplaying talented players. The NBA operates with a lot more freedom which should benefit Stanley. Look at what happened with Terence Davis in less than a year.

I personally like Patrick Williams a bit more but I don't think he will fall that far, while others guys in our range might seem interesting but they aren't likely ever to be able to defend in Toronto's system. Stanley might be just the obivous NBA guy hiding in plain sight as the article suggests.

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

Once again if the Raptors decide to draft a wing type of player at the end of the first round none of these players mentioned is as complete of a player as CJ Elleby is on offense and defense. CJ has the very real potential to be a bigger Norman Powell type of player on both ends of the court. I have seen all of these other players outside of the international players play this past season and none of them stand out like CJ Elleby does especially in the Raptors system of offensive ball movement and defensive switching. CJ Elleby is a Nick Nurse type of player.

Also, like the Psubs mentioned NBADraft.net is a legit NBA draft site no matter how some people try to discredit it...word up!!

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[Syd-TK3]

I like Vassell better than McDaniels honestly

Obviously. Vassell actually played well and won games. Vassel will be gone by lottery. Mcdaniels could be there because he had a bad season. With that said Mcdaniels will never be KD. KD has an elite handle which makes KD who he is. Mcdaniels is closer to Quincy Miller than Ingram or KD.

I've had a look and I like the numbers and the eye-test and wouldn't be upset if the Raptors traded up for Vassell. Like he's shooting a higher % when getting more shots, shooting over 40% from 3 again. Maintaining an A/T of over 2.

#28, #58, Matt Thomas and 2021 2nd pick?

PG Lowry - TD
SG FVV - Powell
SF OG - Vassell
PF Siakam - OG
C Gasol - Ibaka - Boucher

Do you think Masai will just take whoever drops a la OG Anunoby?

Vassell, McDaniels, Achuiwa, Nesmith, Oturu, Carey, Maledon, Nnaji.

He's the only player I'd consider trading up for. But idk who would really and for how much.

We don't got a history of doing any sorta moving up or even many trades on draft night so I'm expecting us to just stand pat and take whoever drops. Especially if they are uncertain about how free agency will go

[Mark_83]

I like Vassell better than McDaniels honestly

Obviously. Vassell actually played well and won games. Vassel will be gone by lottery. Mcdaniels could be there because he had a bad season. With that said Mcdaniels will never be KD. KD has an elite handle which makes KD who he is. Mcdaniels is closer to Quincy Miller than Ingram or KD.

I've had a look and I like the numbers and the eye-test and wouldn't be upset if the Raptors traded up for Vassell. Like he's shooting a higher % when getting more shots, shooting over 40% from 3 again. Maintaining an A/T of over 2.

#28, #58, Matt Thomas and 2021 2nd pick?

PG Lowry - TD
SG FVV - Powell
SF OG - Vassell
PF Siakam - OG
C Gasol - Ibaka - Boucher

Do you think Masai will just take whoever drops a la OG Anunoby?

Vassell, McDaniels, Achuiwa, Nesmith, Oturu, Carey, Maledon, Nnaji.

Yeah, Vassell looks great. I was surprised by his floor game and shot creation. I figured he was a straight up 3 + D, spot up shooter type.

[Psubs]

I feel like the more you get embedded in the draft process of watching tape and learning analytics about prospects the more difficult the decision is. At the back end of the first round, really you should just want a guy that is a good role player that has upside based on athletic gifts and pedigree - no need to have to convince yourself that the guys will succeed.

I think about this earlier Ringer article that talked about how wings are a commodity.

Two freshman prospects in the 2020 draft fit that mold: Josh Green (Arizona) and Cassius Stanley (Duke). They both have the combination of size, speed, and shooting ability that every NBA team needs on the wing. Both are elite high school recruits in complementary college roles. Green is playing with a pair of potential first-round picks in point guard Nico Mannion and center Zeke Nnaji. Stanley is doing the same with Tre Jones and Vernon Carey Jr.

Catch them on the wrong night and you’ll barely notice them. They spend most of their time on offense waiting for the chance to shoot. But every once in a while they will flash the potential to be much more.

https://www.theringer.com/2020/2/27/21155194/nba-draft-2020-wings-josh-green-cassius-stanley

I mean Cassius Stanley is a freak athlete who once is in the Toronto system will likely be a very good shooter. College and especially Duke has a habit of downplaying talented players. The NBA operates with a lot more freedom which should benefit Stanley. Look at what happened with Terence Davis in less than a year.

I personally like Patrick Williams a bit more but I don't think he will fall that far, while others guys in our range might seem interesting but they aren't likely ever to be able to defend in Toronto's system. Stanley might be just the obivous NBA guy hiding in plain sight as the article suggests.

I've been liking Stanley for a while, but he has gator arms like Dillon Brooks, who is starting in Memphis. So I think that's his floor which is good. Stanley is old for a freshman thus should stay in the draft. He can finish with the best of them with his vertical topping Zion Williamson for the Duke record. He has all the tools to be a higher flying Derozan with a 3-pt shot.

[HeadtopChunes]

I feel like the more you get embedded in the draft process of watching tape and learning analytics about prospects the more difficult the decision is. At the back end of the first round, really you should just want a guy that is a good role player that has upside based on athletic gifts and pedigree - no need to have to convince yourself that the guys will succeed.

I think about this earlier Ringer article that talked about how wings are a commodity.

Two freshman prospects in the 2020 draft fit that mold: Josh Green (Arizona) and Cassius Stanley (Duke). They both have the combination of size, speed, and shooting ability that every NBA team needs on the wing. Both are elite high school recruits in complementary college roles. Green is playing with a pair of potential first-round picks in point guard Nico Mannion and center Zeke Nnaji. Stanley is doing the same with Tre Jones and Vernon Carey Jr.

Catch them on the wrong night and you’ll barely notice them. They spend most of their time on offense waiting for the chance to shoot. But every once in a while they will flash the potential to be much more.

https://www.theringer.com/2020/2/27/21155194/nba-draft-2020-wings-josh-green-cassius-stanley

I mean Cassius Stanley is a freak athlete who once is in the Toronto system will likely be a very good shooter. College and especially Duke has a habit of downplaying talented players. The NBA operates with a lot more freedom which should benefit Stanley. Look at what happened with Terence Davis in less than a year.

I personally like Patrick Williams a bit more but I don't think he will fall that far, while others guys in our range might seem interesting but they aren't likely ever to be able to defend in Toronto's system. Stanley might be just the obivous NBA guy hiding in plain sight as the article suggests.

I like Pat Williams too, but I'd be surprised if he lasts past the Nuggets.

As far as Stanley and Green I can see the appeal but their relative lack of size/length and ball skills give me some pause. If you are gonna be a 6'6 or shorter and cannot dribble than you need to be a very good shooter+defender. Stanley is a great athlete but he really lacks in awareness on both sides and is on the older end for a "raw" guy (he's only a year younger than OG). Green is smarter and younger but I dislike his shooting mechanics and his defense looks only okay to me. Like I said before I find the late-round wings to be kinda meh.

Personally I see more value in similarly sized combo guards, like Maledon or Bolmaro over a 6'6 3nD guy which is why I might sound overly negative on those 2.

[Syd-TK3]

Read on Twitter

A few mocks had us taking him at one point

I didn't notice him before because most mocks have him kinda low but the stats seem good, he's skilled offensively, can stretch the floor aside from his age what's the negatives?

Also he's Nigerian so ofcourse he could be Masai target lol

[Dalek]

I feel like the more you get embedded in the draft process of watching tape and learning analytics about prospects the more difficult the decision is. At the back end of the first round, really you should just want a guy that is a good role player that has upside based on athletic gifts and pedigree - no need to have to convince yourself that the guys will succeed.

I think about this earlier Ringer article that talked about how wings are a commodity.

Two freshman prospects in the 2020 draft fit that mold: Josh Green (Arizona) and Cassius Stanley (Duke). They both have the combination of size, speed, and shooting ability that every NBA team needs on the wing. Both are elite high school recruits in complementary college roles. Green is playing with a pair of potential first-round picks in point guard Nico Mannion and center Zeke Nnaji. Stanley is doing the same with Tre Jones and Vernon Carey Jr.

Catch them on the wrong night and you’ll barely notice them. They spend most of their time on offense waiting for the chance to shoot. But every once in a while they will flash the potential to be much more.

https://www.theringer.com/2020/2/27/21155194/nba-draft-2020-wings-josh-green-cassius-stanley

I mean Cassius Stanley is a freak athlete who once is in the Toronto system will likely be a very good shooter. College and especially Duke has a habit of downplaying talented players. The NBA operates with a lot more freedom which should benefit Stanley. Look at what happened with Terence Davis in less than a year.

I personally like Patrick Williams a bit more but I don't think he will fall that far, while others guys in our range might seem interesting but they aren't likely ever to be able to defend in Toronto's system. Stanley might be just the obivous NBA guy hiding in plain sight as the article suggests.

I've been liking Stanley for a while, but he has gator arms like Dillon Brooks, who is starting in Memphis. So I think that's his floor which is good. Stanley is old for a freshman thus should stay in the draft. He can finish with the best of them with his vertical topping Zion Williamson for the Duke record. He has all the tools to be a higher flying Derozan with a 3-pt shot.

Actually Derozan is who popped into mind when I look at his physical profile. I could also see a bit of Miles Bridges, but Stanley is going to have add some weight to get ready for the league. What I missed is that he is such an old freshman. That is probably the main thing that makes a second rounder.

[God Squad]

I like Vassell better than McDaniels honestly

Obviously. Vassell actually played well and won games. Vassel will be gone by lottery. Mcdaniels could be there because he had a bad season. With that said Mcdaniels will never be KD. KD has an elite handle which makes KD who he is. Mcdaniels is closer to Quincy Miller than Ingram or KD.

I've had a look and I like the numbers and the eye-test and wouldn't be upset if the Raptors traded up for Vassell. Like he's shooting a higher % when getting more shots, shooting over 40% from 3 again. Maintaining an A/T of over 2.

#28, #58, Matt Thomas and 2021 2nd pick?

PG Lowry - TD
SG FVV - Powell
SF OG - Vassell
PF Siakam - OG
C Gasol - Ibaka - Boucher

Do you think Masai will just take whoever drops a la OG Anunoby?

Vassell, McDaniels, Achuiwa, Nesmith, Oturu, Carey, Maledon, Nnaji.

Wouldn't mind if he took someone who drops. But it entirely depends on who it is. IMO I think he far more likely to take his "type" of a player. He usually goes for high character, physical attributes, or analytic killers.

[HeadtopChunes]

Read on Twitter

A few mocks had us taking him at one point

I didn't notice him before because most mocks have him kinda low but the stats seem good, he's skilled offensively, can stretch the floor aside from his age what's the negatives?

Also he's Nigerian so ofcourse he could be Masai target lol

Undersized, average athlete, didn't pass at all, okay shooter, needs the ball in his hands.

I could see a rotation player maybe but probably not a starter imo

Although I like his attitude

[HeadtopChunes]

Obviously. Vassell actually played well and won games. Vassel will be gone by lottery. Mcdaniels could be there because he had a bad season. With that said Mcdaniels will never be KD. KD has an elite handle which makes KD who he is. Mcdaniels is closer to Quincy Miller than Ingram or KD.

I've had a look and I like the numbers and the eye-test and wouldn't be upset if the Raptors traded up for Vassell. Like he's shooting a higher % when getting more shots, shooting over 40% from 3 again. Maintaining an A/T of over 2.

#28, #58, Matt Thomas and 2021 2nd pick?

PG Lowry - TD
SG FVV - Powell
SF OG - Vassell
PF Siakam - OG
C Gasol - Ibaka - Boucher

Do you think Masai will just take whoever drops a la OG Anunoby?

Vassell, McDaniels, Achuiwa, Nesmith, Oturu, Carey, Maledon, Nnaji.

He's the only player I'd consider trading up for. But idk who would really and for how much.

We don't got a history of doing any sorta moving up or even many trades on draft night so I'm expecting us to just stand pat and take whoever drops. Especially if they are uncertain about how free agency will go

Actually I think Masai has tired to trade up a couple of times just hasn't worked out, he tried to trade up (or trade-in more accurately) For Giannis in 2013, they tried to use JV to trade up in 2017 not clear for who (probably OG), and SGA in 2018.

[LoveMyRaps]

Read on Twitter

A few mocks had us taking him at one point

I didn't notice him before because most mocks have him kinda low but the stats seem good, he's skilled offensively, can stretch the floor aside from his age what's the negatives?

Also he's Nigerian so ofcourse he could be Masai target lol

Undersized, average athlete, didn't pass at all, okay shooter, needs the ball in his hands.

I could see a rotation player maybe but probably not a starter imo

Although I like his attitude

I've always thought that Ibaka would be a tremendous mentor for Oturu. Similar skillset & attitude.