Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread, Part 3

[Rapsfan07]

Unfortunately, the top bananas in the league have had the luck to draft a true MVP-level superstar, and not every draft has even one of those. You had Griffin in 2009, Durant in 2007, Paul in 2005. John Wall was consensus Number 1 in 2010 but in his second season Washington is as bad as ever.

And even when there is a Durant level prospect in a draft, it doesn't mean the worst team gets him.

So you can't stop building. Indiana has done a good job the past two years slowly improving through some good trades, drafting and free agent signing. David West, Paul George, Darren Collison look like good moves. In a deep draft, they might score another quality player, and West's deal is only for two years, so they have flexibility to either re-sign him or revisit free agency in a big way after improving the asset base further through the draft. They don't have a superstar, but I can make the argument they could put together a really tough team in the next 3-4 years if they continue to make productive moves.

I suspect that absent a major superstar landing in our lap, we will follow a similar course. A high pick last year, a high pick this year, and we might need another lottery pick in 2013 because our young talent isn't going to coalesce overnight into as mid-tier playoff team. But when we accumulate enough young talent, it does open up trades and does make us more interesting to all but the top tier of free agents overly focussed on certain big markets.

Agree 100%. The Indiana Pacers and the Memphis Grizzles as they are right now are the best team that you can hope for with out having a true "superstar" though granted, both teams have a lot of high-end talent with the Grizz obviously having more.

So in the absence of a "superstar" the only way to move forward is to be smart. Make smart trades, make smart draft choices and make smart signings. We've got a lot of young guys on our team but they're not very talented. The first order of business is to decide who stays and who goes by giving plenty of minutes to the young guys. It's hard to know which way we're going when the assets are confused with building blocks.

The Indiana comparison is spot-on.

[JamesNaismith]

Sorry I'm really not that impressed by the Pacers' model so far but obviously we'll have to see how it works out in the next few years.


I just think most small markets have to luck out on top level talent like Duncan and Durant.

[Rapsfan07]

Sorry I'm really not that impressed by the Pacers' model so far but obviously we'll have to see how it works out in the next few years.


I just think most small markets have to luck out on top level talent like Duncan and Durant.

I agree. But its undeniable that they've done well without that top level talent.

[Marlo Stanfield]

Sorry I'm really not that impressed by the Pacers' model so far but obviously we'll have to see how it works out in the next few years.


I just think most small markets have to luck out on top level talent like Duncan and Durant.

I agree. But its undeniable that they've done well without that top level talent.

They're decent, but nothing to imitate at this point. We did more without a top-level talent in Chris Bosh than they've done to this point.

[TJ Quik]

We might not have a 2 way superstar on the way, but great teams can be built around guys with varying skill sets. Like him or not, Bargnani has the talent to be a superstar on offence. If we can hide his weaknesses well enough that could work, especially when his weaknesses aren't even that glaring with DC leading the way.

We need help on the wing and at the point. We have 3 main assets going forward with our 2012 pick, one of our bigs as a trade chip, and the cash we'll have.

????/
DeRozan
?????
Bargnani
Valanciunas

Bayless
Davis/Amir

It's really not a bad starting point.

[Young_Buc]

We might not have a 2 way superstar on the way, but great teams can be built around guys with varying skill sets. Like him or not, Bargnani has the talent to be a superstar on offence. If we can hide his weaknesses well enough that could work, especially when his weaknesses aren't even that glaring with DC leading the way.

We need help on the wing and at the point. We have 3 main assets going forward with our 2012 pick, one of our bigs as a trade chip, and the cash we'll have.

????/
DeRozan
?????
Bargnani
Valanciunas

Bayless
Davis/Amir

It's really not a bad starting point.

In order to hide Bargs deficiencies you need Dwight Howard or had better hope that Andre Drummond turns into him and forget about Jonas.

I'm higher on Jonas than a lot of people on this board and don't believe that his ceiling is "garbage bucket player, high motor etc" I think he's a hell of a prospect but not one you handicap by putting next to a player who doesn't rebound or play team D.

[Saciid11]

We might not have a 2 way superstar on the way, but great teams can be built around guys with varying skill sets. Like him or not, Bargnani has the talent to be a superstar on offence. If we can hide his weaknesses well enough that could work, especially when his weaknesses aren't even that glaring with DC leading the way.

We need help on the wing and at the point. We have 3 main assets going forward with our 2012 pick, one of our bigs as a trade chip, and the cash we'll have.

????/
DeRozan
?????
Bargnani
Valanciunas

Bayless
Davis/Amir

It's really not a bad starting point.

If you want Raps to be lottery pick every year sure you keep Bargnani and feed him the ball 20 to 30 times a night and watch him give up 20 to 40 a night to scrubs. If Raps have nay hope in the future they build around bigs who can rebound and defend the post, basically bigs that play like bigs unless you get Dirk Nowitski who is not only better rebounder and defender then Bargnani, but offensively they are not even close.

As of right know this is Raps future

PG ...??? Nobody ... Bayless is bench player at best
SG......NOBODY ... dEROZEN IS SMALL FORWARD
SF...Derozen
PF ... Ed Davis or Amir Johnson ...unless you get Antony Davis
c. ..Val

[FluLikeSymptoms]

Hopefully Perry brings it tonight and Quincy shows up too.

Edit: Looks like they are invested. PJ3 is a fluid athlete with great dexterity, sweet alley- oop finish. Like Charlie V in some ways.

[IntricateOh25]

I don't know where else to put this, but do we finally have a 2nd round pick this year?

[God Squad]

I actually don't know if we have our pick or not. I think we do?

[bboyskinnylegs]

yep, we finally do have our 2nd rounder this year

Van Oostrum is one guy I'd love to draft if he declares and is available there. Or perhaps Scott Machado.

[God Squad]

For instance the raps land the 3rd pick in this years draft. Gun2 your head, who do you draft? Davis/Drummond are off the board. Do you draft the best fit at sf with Barnes? Do you take gamble on star potential and take PJ3? Or do you take a proven player this year and overall best sf in MKG?

For me I'd have a tough time picking between Perry and MKG.

[bboyskinnylegs]

For instance the raps land the 3rd pick in this years draft. Gun2 your head, who do you draft? Davis/Drummond are off the board. Do you draft the best fit at sf with Barnes? Do you take gamble on star potential and take PJ3? Or do you take a proven player this year and overall best sf in MKG?

For me I'd have a tough time picking between Perry and MKG.

Lamb would be in the mix for me at #3.

[God Squad]

For instance the raps land the 3rd pick in this years draft. Gun2 your head, who do you draft? Davis/Drummond are off the board. Do you draft the best fit at sf with Barnes? Do you take gamble on star potential and take PJ3? Or do you take a proven player this year and overall best sf in MKG?

For me I'd have a tough time picking between Perry and MKG.

Lamb would be in the mix for me at #3.

See Lamb's not even on my Radar to be honest. Although I can see why people like him. But for me I'd be looking at the other 3.

[Waylon Mercy]

For instance the raps land the 3rd pick in this years draft. Gun2 your head, who do you draft? Davis/Drummond are off the board. Do you draft the best fit at sf with Barnes? Do you take gamble on star potential and take PJ3? Or do you take a proven player this year and overall best sf in MKG?

For me I'd have a tough time picking between Perry and MKG.

Toss up between Lamb (who you didn't mention) Barnes and MKG

[God Squad]

For instance the raps land the 3rd pick in this years draft. Gun2 your head, who do you draft? Davis/Drummond are off the board. Do you draft the best fit at sf with Barnes? Do you take gamble on star potential and take PJ3? Or do you take a proven player this year and overall best sf in MKG?

For me I'd have a tough time picking between Perry and MKG.

Toss up between Lamb (who you didn't mention) Barnes and MKG

I didn't mention lamb because I don't think he's that great. Personally I wouldn't draft Lamb. If Gun was to my head I'd most likely take MKG. He's proven the most this year as a freshman. Something Perry, Lamb, and Barnes couldn't do. MKG was hidden by the amount of talent Kentucky has. Plus the hype that is A-Davis. But imo MKG could be the most important piece to that team. He's shown/proven that he plays great D, Rebounds very well and passes the ball. The only knock on MKG would be on the offensive end, and I believe that's overrated. He imo has been the best wing SG/SF in the draft.

[Waylon Mercy]

For instance the raps land the 3rd pick in this years draft. Gun2 your head, who do you draft? Davis/Drummond are off the board. Do you draft the best fit at sf with Barnes? Do you take gamble on star potential and take PJ3? Or do you take a proven player this year and overall best sf in MKG?

For me I'd have a tough time picking between Perry and MKG.

Toss up between Lamb (who you didn't mention) Barnes and MKG

I didn't mention lamb because I don't think he's that great. Personally I wouldn't draft Lamb. If Gun was to my head I'd most likely take MKG. He's proven the most this year as a freshman. Something Perry, Lamb, and Barnes couldn't do. MKG was hidden by the amount of talent Kentucky has. Plus the hype that is A-Davis. But imo MKG could be the most important piece to that team. He's shown/proven that he plays great D, Rebounds very well and passes the ball. The only knock on MKG would be on the offensive end, and I believe that's overrated. He imo has been the best wing SG/SF in the draft.

I love MKG he was my favorite prospect coming out of hgh school... My only concern of him
is his lack out of outside shooting which the Raps are desperate for especially from the SF
posistion.

As for Lamb.... you need to wake up to him hes got All-Star talent. If it wasn't for ball hogging
shot happy Napier on UCONN Lamb and Drummond would be getting way more touches. I think
Lambs skillset is tailor made for the NBA more so then almost any elite prospect in this draft.

[Gold Dragon]

I think with DeRozan's development of a 3pt shot and his distinct lack of handles, MKG is looking even more like the guy the Raptors need over Barnes. Both MKG and Barnes have the defense that will be able to help mask Barg's deficiencies but I see MKG as the better rebounder and we need that in our SF if both Bargs and DeRozan aren't going to be that active on the boards.

More and more, the fit looks like MKG and he is playing like he deserves it over guys like Barnes, PJIII and Lamb. I'm worried he might be playing so well that the Raptors won't tank enough to get him.

[Dr Positivity]

I would seriously consider taking Leonard and going twin towers. I would say playing PF is in reach for him as he has mobility and reasonable skill. I think there'd be more KG comparisons for him if he was black

I think Leonard is going to emerge as the "OMG you can't take him less than 3" scouting consensus 3rd wheel.

[Rapsfan07]

I know I'm going to get flamed but I'd seriously consider trading down in the draft.

1. Trade down to get Quincy Miller + assets (picks, young players etc) and maybe grab Wroten and/or Ross later on in the draft with other trades. (If Quincy continues healing and coming to form)

2. Drafting Lamb. Problem is we have DeRozan would then have to be moved.

3. Drafting Perry Jones III and immediately cashing in on Bargnani.

Always been a Miller fan. I think he could be steal much like Paul Pierce was. He can shoot it, handle it, pass it. When he's not scoring he's doing other things on the court and I think he's got very good defensive potential as well. He's gotta perform better in college though if it is his nagging injury keeping him from showing out, he'd be the ultimate steal in the draft. I've loved Tony Wroten from the getgo and Terrence Ross looks a lot like Jason Richardson who was one hell of a SG. Fringe all-star quality type player. MKG looks really good but I don't know if he's going to be any better than Gerald Wallace and if this is our last chance at a Top 5 pick, I want a star and I'm not sure the MKG is it. It looks like the perfect complimentary player though. He'd look perfect along side a SG like Harden.

A haul like this would most probably involve a lot of luck, trading down our pick and then moving either Bargs, Ed or both.