Thank Nation! Raptors Pick 9th (PART 5)

[dTox]

Ellenson is basically the opposite of everything Casey and Masai look for in their players (toughness / defence in the case of Dwane, and high upside / defence in the case of MasaI). His shooting would be of help but so can many others

[Troubadour]

I think if Masai decides to hold onto the pick and cant trade up for Murray and Chriss is gone by 9, he should swing for it and grab Skal.

Let the kid work his butt off in the 905 and add strength and keep improving his shot.

I know this is a dumb take, but I'm kind of more excited about the 27th pick at this point. Though I am really happy to have the 9th pick, it is frustrating to have to pick between the very best of the third tier in this draft. Really hoping someone from that Top 8 falls to #9.

At #27, however, you have a bunch of really interesting prospects. Malik Beasley, who is just starting to move up draft boards, looks like an NBA-ready role player. Physically speaking, Guerschon Yabusele is probably the strongest player in the draft despite being just 19. He also has great size and can knock down threes. Great combination of skills and physical profile. Dorian Finney-Smith, a player the Raptors worked out, has the physical profile and skillset that makes him the ideal NBA role player. Great size, too.

Lots of other great prospects that are, admittedly, far less of a guarantee than the players in the lottery, but the expectations placed on the 9th pick make it seem like getting Deyonta Davis is somehow a disappointment.

[bozothepope]

I think if Masai decides to hold onto the pick and cant trade up for Murray and Chriss is gone by 9, he should swing for it and grab Skal.

Let the kid work his butt off in the 905 and add strength and keep improving his shot.

I'm leaning the same way. A year ago, we all would've been over the moon to get Skal. Sure he's been underwhelming and his stock has dropped from being a top 2 guy, but so did Andre Drummond's during his draft year coming out of UCONN. I'm willing to take the chance.

[Troubadour]

Guerschon Yabusele needs to be the pick at #27

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmJbbA6sJvA[/youtube]

So good.

[Lukeem]

Chad Ford Mock Draft

1. Ben Simmons (PHI)
2. Brandon Ingram (LAL)
3. Kris Dunn (BOS)
4. Marquese Chriss (PHX)
5. Jamal Murray (MIN)
6. Dragan Bender (NOP)
7. Jaylen Brown (DEN)
8. Buddy Hield (SAC)
9. Henry Ellenson (TOR)

Henry Ellenson Marquette Freshman Forward/center
I think the Raptors have been secretly hoping Chriss falls to them at No. 9 for a while. As he starts blowing up in workouts, that feels more and more like a dream.
Power forward is their biggest need and the choice will likely come down to Ellenson, Skal Labissiere, Deyonta Davis and Domantas Sabonis. You can make an argument for all four.
Labissiere is the best shooter and has the highest ceiling (but also the lowest floor). Ellenson gives you a lot more game, but without the same elite athleticism.

10. Dejounte Murray (MIL)
11. Skal Labissiere (ORL)
12. Jakob Poeltl (UTH)
13. Wade Baldwin IV (PHX)
14. Deyonta Davis (CHI)
15. Furkan Korkmaz (DEN)
16. Ante Zizic (BOS)
17. Ivica Zubac (MEM)
18. Denzel Valentine (DET)
19. Thon Maker (DEN)
20. Domantas Sabonis (IND)
21. Malachi Richardson (ATL)
22. Malik Beasley (CHA)
23. Cheick Diallo (BOS)
24. Tyler Ulis (PHI)
25. DeAndre Bembry (LAC)
26. Patrick McCaw (PHI)
27. Guerschon Yabusele (TOR)

Guerschon Yabusele France Age: 19 Forward
Yabusele is built like a brick house. He's one of the strongest players in the draft, but he's also skilled. He moves well despite his size and has a shot that goes all the way out to the 3-point line.
The Raptors love toughness and Yabusele brings that. And given the fact that this is the Raptors' second first-round pick, a draft-and-stash type player like Yabusele makes some sense.

28. Juan Hernangomez (PHX)
29. Demetrius Jackson (SAS)
30. Damian Jones (GSW)

I would be so happy picking as Denver there

adding Furkan Korkmaz and Thon Maker..... two very high upside players. The Jaylen Brown pick I'm not huge on with Buddy Hield available (Handles and shooting are too suspect IMO)

Phi adding Ulis (think his size wont be a problem as a strong backup PG) and Patrick McCaw with Ben Simmons of course

PHX adding Chriss, Baldwin, Hernangomez... baldwin doesn't fit but I think he could be the second best backcourt player before long for them and allow them to trade

Bos adding Dunn - then two good shots at post players with upside Zizic and Diallo

Min adding Jamal Murray - Them the North?


very interesting mock draft

[MavCarter]

Lol why do all these draft experts have us picking a PF just because it's a need? Masai has said 100 times that he drafts based on BPA

[ATLTimekeeper]

Ellenson is basically the opposite of everything Casey and Masai look for in their players (toughness / defence in the case of Dwane, and high upside / defence in the case of MasaI). His shooting would be of help but so can many others

Looks pretty tough to me. Have you watched him play? Just because he's skilled doesn't mean he shies away from contactor shuts down when things aren't going his way. Also, I wouldn't put "defense" as a stipulation for Masai. Guys like Faried and Fournier are not defensive-minded players.

[Troubadour]

Lol why do all these draft experts have us picking a PF just because it's a need? Masai has said 100 times that he drafts based on BPA

There are a lot of bigs available at #9. Skal, Deyonta Davis, Ellenson, and Poeltl could all be the pick. I also think the team's current status - close to contending - is making the commentators consider fit above all else for this pick.

At #27, however, I love Yabusele. I will die on that hill. He's going to be good in the NBA.

[S ID]

Ellenson is basically the opposite of everything Casey and Masai look for in their players (toughness / defence in the case of Dwane, and high upside / defence in the case of MasaI). His shooting would be of help but so can many others

Disagree on those attributes. Offensively his upside is very very high, and if he were to become passable on defence - considering he has the tools, he could be one of the best players of the draft down the line.

[dTox]

Ellenson is basically the opposite of everything Casey and Masai look for in their players (toughness / defence in the case of Dwane, and high upside / defence in the case of MasaI). His shooting would be of help but so can many others

Looks pretty tough to me. Have you watched him play? Just because he's skilled doesn't mean he shies away from contactor shuts down when things aren't going his way. Also, I wouldn't put "defense" as a stipulation for Masai. Guys like Faried and Fournier are not defensive-minded players.

You are right that he can finish with contact, but he doesn't have the 2 way potential that I should have clarified for "toughness". Faried and Fournier were drafted 20 or later, and so was Bruno.

[CoachJReturns]

I think if Masai decides to hold onto the pick and cant trade up for Murray and Chriss is gone by 9, he should swing for it and grab Skal.

Let the kid work his butt off in the 905 and add strength and keep improving his shot.

I know this is a dumb take, but I'm kind of more excited about the 27th pick at this point. Though I am really happy to have the 9th pick, it is frustrating to have to pick between the very best of the third tier in this draft. Really hoping someone from that Top 8 falls to #9.

At #27, however, you have a bunch of really interesting prospects. Malik Beasley, who is just starting to move up draft boards, looks like an NBA-ready role player. Physically speaking, Guerschon Yabusele is probably the strongest player in the draft despite being just 19. He also has great size and can knock down threes. Great combination of skills and physical profile. Dorian Finney-Smith, a player the Raptors worked out, has the physical profile and skillset that makes him the ideal NBA role player. Great size, too.

Lots of other great prospects that are, admittedly, far less of a guarantee than the players in the lottery, but the expectations placed on the 9th pick make it seem like getting Deyonta Davis is somehow a disappointment.

I know how you feel. Ivan Rabb returning for his sophomore year kind of screwed my draft board right up. He was my pick for a long time. I still like Korkmaz and Luwawu though.

[CoachJReturns]

Lol why do all these draft experts have us picking a PF just because it's a need? Masai has said 100 times that he drafts based on BPA

There are a lot of bigs available at #9. Skal, Deyonta Davis, Ellenson, and Poeltl could all be the pick. I also think the team's current status - close to contending - is making the commentators consider fit above all else for this pick.

At #27, however, I love Yabusele. I will die on that hill. He's going to be good in the NBA.

I need to read up on Yabusele and see some tape of him later. His strong finish to the year in Europe really stands out.

[Rayflow]

Just read raps have their eye on whitehead at 27...havent seen him play, but saw highlights ..not sure if that would be the best pick

[dalton749]

If one of Dunn, Murray, skal, hield are still available at our pick, then I'll feel very good about developing either of them into another really good 9th pick on the list.

[WeTheNorth123]

Just read raps have their eye on whitehead at 27...havent seen him play, but saw highlights ..not sure if that would be the best pick

No way at 27th....for a guy who might go undrafted.....he shoots 37% from the field

[Rayflow]

I think if Masai decides to hold onto the pick and cant trade up for Murray and Chriss is gone by 9, he should swing for it and grab Skal.

Let the kid work his butt off in the 905 and add strength and keep improving his shot.

I'm leaning the same way. A year ago, we all would've been over the moon to get Skal. Sure he's been underwhelming and his stock has dropped from being a top 2 guy, but so did Andre Drummond's during his draft year coming out of UCONN. I'm willing to take the chance.

Agreed...I'd take skal too if anyone from the top 8 doesn't slip . He's got one of the highest ceiling and was often compared to AD coming into Kentucky

[Too Late Crew]

I'll go on record now that if we end up doing something in the 15 to 27 range (either with the pick we have or in a trade) I pick McCaw 10 times out of 10 over Maker.

The more I watch McCaw the more I see a guy with real two way potential and skills that really lacks only physical maturity to be a good player. He could easily become what everyone WANTS Ross to be. He has actual skills and feel for the game. He might spend a year or 2 in the Dleague to out on some musclcle but once he gains that strength he's got the other attributes to play well and importantly to guard at least one if not 2 positions at a high level. He's already played against some pretty good competion at UNLV.

Maker has the skinniest lower body of any 6 foot 10 plus player I have seen in over 35 years and that includes Keyon Clark. Guys with that build are a lag injury waiting to happen. He can't guard anyone and he is never going to be able to hold any kind of position on either end vs NBA strength. He seems a nice hard working kid but I'd much rather take a an actual basketball player like McCaw than some hyped projected who has a very high chance of never getting beyond the project stage.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Ellenson is basically the opposite of everything Casey and Masai look for in their players (toughness / defence in the case of Dwane, and high upside / defence in the case of MasaI). His shooting would be of help but so can many others

Looks pretty tough to me. Have you watched him play? Just because he's skilled doesn't mean he shies away from contactor shuts down when things aren't going his way. Also, I wouldn't put "defense" as a stipulation for Masai. Guys like Faried and Fournier are not defensive-minded players.

You are right that he can finish with contact, but he doesn't have the 2 way potential that I should have clarified for "toughness". Faried and Fournier were drafted 20 or later, and so was Bruno.

[Rayflow]

Just read raps have their eye on whitehead at 27...havent seen him play, but saw highlights ..not sure if that would be the best pick

No way at 27th....for a guy who might go undrafted.....he shoots 37% from the field

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2016/06/draft-rumors-chriss-kings-trade-candidates.html

Don't know how to embed articles yet but that's where I read it from! Also says chriss wants to play for SAC and teams that are willing to trade their pick

[[SJJ]]

Just read raps have their eye on whitehead at 27...havent seen him play, but saw highlights ..not sure if that would be the best pick

No way at 27th....for a guy who might go undrafted.....he shoots 37% from the field

Raps don't care about offensive efficiency. This makes sense.