With the 31st pick, the Raptors select Jonathan Mogbo

[Dalek]

I do want to give major credit to the unorthodox game of Jonathan Mogbo. I still cringe when he gets the ball on offense as he looks a little skittish about knowing when and how to put a shot up against NBA defenders, but his defensive play yesterday against the Wolves was special.

Mogbo's got unreal mobility and he has good instincts on where guys will pass off on drives. This leads to all his deflections and steals.

In Deflections per 36 mins (min. 10 games played) here is how he ranks in the NBA:

1. Dyson Daniels 7.3
2. Alex Caruso 7.2
3. Jonathan Mogbo 5.7
4. Haywood Highsmith 5.1
5. Gary Payton II 5.0

He is also 58th ranked in steals per 36 mins. This guy can defend and is very OG Anunoby like so far. I guess you have to play him as a C on offense, but he can guard anyone on defense.

[OakleyDokely]

Even though he's a 0 level scorer at this point, the offensive rebounds (5.6 per 36) keep possessions alive and his playmaking (3.6 asts per 36) fits Darko's ball movement system. His defense is already insane. He might have been the most impactful defender on the floor last night and he shared it with Gobert and McDaniels.

He becomes a lot more playable when he's surrounded by a bunch of functional offensive players.

[Dalek]

Even though he's a 0 level scorer at this point, the offensive rebounds (5.6 per 36) keep possessions alive and his playmaking (3.6 asts per 36) fits how Darko's ball movement system. His defense is already insane. He might have been the most impactful defender on the floor last night and he shared it with Gobert and McDaniels.

He becomes a lot more playable when he's surrounded by a bunch of functional offensive players.

That's a good point about having more scoring around him. If he shares the court with RJ, Scottie and/or Gradey there will be less issue with Mogbo. He can just be like what we wanted out of Precious - defense and rebounding with some elbow passing.

[OakleyDokely]

Even though he's a 0 level scorer at this point, the offensive rebounds (5.6 per 36) keep possessions alive and his playmaking (3.6 asts per 36) fits how Darko's ball movement system. His defense is already insane. He might have been the most impactful defender on the floor last night and he shared it with Gobert and McDaniels.

He becomes a lot more playable when he's surrounded by a bunch of functional offensive players.

That's a good point about having more scoring around him. If he shares the court with RJ, Scottie and/or Gradey there will be less issue with Mogbo. He can just be like what we wanted out of Precious - defense and rebounding with some elbow passing.

yup, you just slot him in the dunkers spot on the offensive end, and let him crash the boards and find guys off cuts.

[WiggOuts]

He needs to work on his body language. Every time he makes a mistake he looks like he wants to kill himself lol

[Ell Curry]

He is also 58th ranked in steals per 36 mins. This guy can defend and is very OG Anunoby like so far. I guess you have to play him as a C on offense, but he can guard anyone on defense.

Yeah. We have Olynyk when he's back, and Barnes as a smallball 5 as obvious Mogbo partners at the 4/5 spots, and hopefully we'll get a shooting big of some kind via the draft this year or the next, or maybe even an MLE or trade guy or a Jay Huff signing that surprisingly works. Basically what Orlando did in finding Mo Wagner when Boston cut him, and Mogbo is our Jonathan Isaac (though Isaac has become a functional 3pt shooter which Mogbo, who knows if he'll ever get there) and that combo has worked really nicely for Orlando against other team's benches.

[OakleyDokely]

Draft Class Rank (min 200 mins) :

BPM: 5th
VORP: 5th
Win Shares: 6th

[Psubs]

Draft Class Rank (min 200 mins) :

BPM: 5th
VORP: 5th
Win Shares: 6th

He needs more PT to spread his wings more.

[Psubs]

He is also 58th ranked in steals per 36 mins. This guy can defend and is very OG Anunoby like so far. I guess you have to play him as a C on offense, but he can guard anyone on defense.

Yeah. We have Olynyk when he's back, and Barnes as a smallball 5 as obvious Mogbo partners at the 4/5 spots, and hopefully we'll get a shooting big of some kind via the draft this year or the next, or maybe even an MLE or trade guy or a Jay Huff signing that surprisingly works. Basically what Orlando did in finding Mo Wagner when Boston cut him, and Mogbo is our Jonathan Isaac (though Isaac has become a functional 3pt shooter which Mogbo, who knows if he'll ever get there) and that combo has worked really nicely for Orlando against other team's benches.

Jay Huff has made it. The saying is that sometimes it takes C's and PG's a little longer to develop.

Draft Zvonimir Ivisic instead of Huff. Huff likely stays with the Grizzlies. I guess Ivisic's floor is Jay Huff.

[Duffman100]

Draft Class Rank (min 200 mins) :

BPM: 5th
VORP: 5th
Win Shares: 6th

The made 3 felt lucky ha, but still nice to see.

Those little Draymond esque floaters are awesome though, that's his ticket right there.

[Psubs]

Draft Class Rank (min 200 mins) :

BPM: 5th
VORP: 5th
Win Shares: 6th

The made 3 felt lucky ha, but still nice to see.

Those little Draymond esque floaters are awesome though, that's his ticket right there.

He's hit 2 so far and if he had converted just 1 more he'd be as good as Scottie from deep.

His FT shooting form is nice! If Okoro can improve each season and become an over 40% 3pt shooter, Mogbo has a chance too.

[Duffman100]

Draft Class Rank (min 200 mins) :

BPM: 5th
VORP: 5th
Win Shares: 6th

The made 3 felt lucky ha, but still nice to see.

Those little Draymond esque floaters are awesome though, that's his ticket right there.

He's hit 2 so far and if he had converted just 1 more he'd be as good as Scottie from deep.

His FT shooting form is nice! If Okoro can improve each season and become an over 40% 3pt shooter, Mogbo has a chance too.

100%. 73% from the line is really encouraging.

[Jtoneller1]

He's got nice rotation on his free throws and most of them are swishes

Sent from my Pixel 6 using RealGM mobile app

[PushDaRock]

Push shot development is very encouraging. Having something to go to in that mid post area and on short rolls where he can't get to the rim is vital for him since he's not 7 foot tall.

Mechanics at the line and on his 3's look good, there's definitely some hope he becomes an adequate shooter in time. But, I think the push shot is more important for his overall development than the shooting.

[OakleyDokely]

Watch on YouTube

[GreatWhiteStiff]

13 points is a decent amount for a 0 level scorer who will pass instead of trying to score often enough.

[Tripod]

Push shot development is very encouraging. Having something to go to in that mid post area and on short rolls where he can't get to the rim is vital for him since he's not 7 foot tall.

Mechanics at the line and on his 3's look good, there's definitely some hope he becomes an adequate shooter in time. But, I think the push shot is more important for his overall development than the shooting.

Yeah Blake was talking to Temple who said they are working together after practice on the shot. Then Blake said they saw him doing it pre-game.

Development baby.

[Dexjackson]

Push shot development is very encouraging. Having something to go to in that mid post area and on short rolls where he can't get to the rim is vital for him since he's not 7 foot tall.

Mechanics at the line and on his 3's look good, there's definitely some hope he becomes an adequate shooter in time. But, I think the push shot is more important for his overall development than the shooting.

Yeah Blake was talking to Temple who said they are working together after practice on the shot. Then Blake said they saw him doing it pre-game.

Development baby.

Hopefully Mogbo has that obsessive mentality when it comes to working on his shot/offensive bag. I would love to see what he can develop into if he becomes a better scorer. It'll also open up more passing opportunities because right now opponents can totally sell out for the pass.

[Tripod]

Push shot development is very encouraging. Having something to go to in that mid post area and on short rolls where he can't get to the rim is vital for him since he's not 7 foot tall.

Mechanics at the line and on his 3's look good, there's definitely some hope he becomes an adequate shooter in time. But, I think the push shot is more important for his overall development than the shooting.

Yeah Blake was talking to Temple who said they are working together after practice on the shot. Then Blake said they saw him doing it pre-game.

Development baby.

Hopefully Mogbo has that obsessive mentality when it comes to working on his shot/offensive bag. I would love to see what he can develop into if he becomes a better scorer. It'll also open up more passing opportunities because right now opponents can totally sell out for the pass.

Agreed.

Adding just a push shot...and a 3 every now and then changes how teams have to play him.

[OakleyDokely]

In comparison to Siakam's rookie year:

JMogbo: 15.8 MIN, 5.2 PPG, 4.3 REB, 1.4 AST, 0.8 BLK, 0.4 STL, .485 FG, .300 3PT, .727 FT, .563 TS, 14.3 USG
Siakam: 15.6 MIN, 4.2 PPG, 3.4 REB, 0.3 AST, 0.8 BLK, 0.5 STL, .502 FG, .143 3PT, .688 FT, .523 TS, 13.1 USG