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

[Indeed]

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?s=20 lol

I could see Toronto trying to move Lowry to Philly and see Toronto trying to trade up to grab someone. I absolutely cant see Philly moving Simmons for Lowry+. Thats insane

I absolutely cant see Toronto moving Lowry, please see the current NBA standing. There is no reason for moving from a winning mentality for moving up in a weak draft. Thats insane.

[mademan]

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?s=20 lol

I could see Toronto trying to move Lowry to Philly and see Toronto trying to trade up to grab someone. I absolutely cant see Philly moving Simmons for Lowry+. Thats insane

I absolutely cant see Toronto moving Lowry, please see the current NBA standing. There is no reason for moving from a winning mentality for moving up in a weak draft. Thats insane.

Lowry is still excellent, but is also 33, on the downturn of his career, relatively injury prone and on the last year of his contract. I could see him wanting to re-sign with the Raps and end his career here, but, if we miss out on big names in 2021, i can also see him go home to Philly or out west to LA to ring chase his last year or 2. I wouldnt trade him lightly, and i didnt say we should trade him for a pick. But discussing the idea of moving him is far from insane.

We got more year; at the end of it, we either end up a competitive young team with Siakam/FVV or we get a Giannis and contend for a title. If the former happens, i can easily see Lowry leaving to ring chase his last few years

[Tofubeque]

Raw and Junior should never be in the same sentence unless they just started playing the game. If that's what we want it could come come down to Pons and Chris Smith. Not sure which is better.

Norm Powell was arguably raw as a senior. He wasn't a starter until his junior year, his shooting form was a big concern and he struggled to hit 30% from the college 3pt line.

Not many guys can make a jump like him but player development in the NCAA is just nothing like the pros.

[Indeed]

I could see Toronto trying to move Lowry to Philly and see Toronto trying to trade up to grab someone. I absolutely cant see Philly moving Simmons for Lowry+. Thats insane

I absolutely cant see Toronto moving Lowry, please see the current NBA standing. There is no reason for moving from a winning mentality for moving up in a weak draft. Thats insane.

Lowry is still excellent, but is also 33, on the downturn of his career, relatively injury prone and on the last year of his contract. I could see him wanting to re-sign with the Raps and end his career here, but, if we miss out on big names in 2021, i can also see him go home to Philly or out west to LA to ring chase his last year or 2. I wouldnt trade him lightly, and i didnt say we should trade him for a pick. But discussing the idea of moving him is far from insane.

We got more year; at the end of it, we either end up a competitive young team with Siakam/FVV or we get a Giannis and contend for a title. If the former happens, i can easily see Lowry leaving to ring chase his last few years

You are new in understanding how Ujiri drafts his players?
Wings: OG #23, Siakam #27
Guards: VanVleet #Undrafted, Davis #Undrafted (at most 2nd round pick), Powell #46

I feel it is unlikely we are going to trade Lowry to make Philly better and think we can acquire Giannis because we have some kind of top pick that can get us a rookie. I think we will trade away players who may not fit in our style for some assets, but not the other way around.

[Psubs]

You are new in understanding how Ujiri drafts his players?
Wings: OG #23, Siakam #27
Guards: VanVleet #Undrafted, Davis #Undrafted (at most 2nd round pick), Powell #46

I feel it is unlikely we are going to trade Lowry to make Philly better and think we can acquire Giannis because we have some kind of top pick that can get us a rookie. I think we will trade away players who may not fit in our style for some assets, but not the other way around.

But does clearing $40 million allow the Raptors to sign Giannis plus another star if they let Ibaka/Gasol walk? Gobert?

#28 Tyrell Terry (PG that shoots 40% from 3)
#58 Malik Fitts (combo forward that shoots 40% from 3)

PG FVV - TD - #28
SG OG - Ball - Thomas
SF Siakam - OG - #58
PF Giannis - Siakam - Boucher
C Gobert - Giannis - FA

[BoyzNTheHood]

Yup, I mentioned Naji back in the early pages of this thread and you replied with the Stepien article

He's still one of my favourites in this draft because of all he can do. He reminds me a lot of Will Barton even though none of the statistical comparisons people have posted match them up. But both are slim built, do-it-all type wings.

Here's an interesting guy, Naji Marshall 6'7 220lbs potentially someone who can dribble/pass/ shoot and be a nice versatile defender.

The highlights make him look fantastic

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

But he didn't have the greatest season from 3. Specifically in terms of his jumper was really bad first 8 games, and then his bad shot selection and role as an on-ball creator tanked his efficiency. However, he did shoot 69% at the rim and 39% on 2pt jumpers which are both good numbers. Since he is 22 already his stock seems to be deep in the 2nd right now.


Here's a far more thorough breakdown if you are interested. https://www.thestepien.com/2020/01/24/case-naji-marshall/

[Psubs]

Yup, I mentioned Naji back in the early pages of this thread and you replied with the Stepien article

He's still one of my favourites in this draft because of all he can do. He reminds me a lot of Will Barton even though none of the statistical comparisons people have posted match them up. But both are slim built, do-it-all type wings.

He can't shoot 3's, shooting under 30% the last 2 seasons. He doesn't do anything else really well so at best he'll be G-League level and may play some games for a non-contender.

[HeadtopChunes]

Yup, I mentioned Naji back in the early pages of this thread and you replied with the Stepien article

He's still one of my favourites in this draft because of all he can do. He reminds me a lot of Will Barton even though none of the statistical comparisons people have posted match them up. But both are slim built, do-it-all type wings.

He can't shoot 3's, shooting under 30% the last 2 seasons. He doesn't do anything else really well so at best he'll be G-League level and may play some games for a non-contender.

I wouldn’t say he can’t shoot 3s. He shot okay on catch and shoot looks and clearly has tough shot making ability. The FT% is a red flag though.

Also I think he can be an NBA level defender (his defense is his arguably best skill) which means he has at least has bench 3nD potential.

Would consider him at 58 or as a UDFA

[LoveMyRaps]

As of today, who would you take with the 28th overall pick if you were Masai & why?

[HeadtopChunes]

Yup, I mentioned Naji back in the early pages of this thread and you replied with the Stepien article

He's still one of my favourites in this draft because of all he can do. He reminds me a lot of Will Barton even though none of the statistical comparisons people have posted match them up. But both are slim built, do-it-all type wings.

Here's an interesting guy, Naji Marshall 6'7 220lbs potentially someone who can dribble/pass/ shoot and be a nice versatile defender.

The highlights make him look fantastic

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

But he didn't have the greatest season from 3. Specifically in terms of his jumper was really bad first 8 games, and then his bad shot selection and role as an on-ball creator tanked his efficiency. However, he did shoot 69% at the rim and 39% on 2pt jumpers which are both good numbers. Since he is 22 already his stock seems to be deep in the 2nd right now.


Here's a far more thorough breakdown if you are interested. https://www.thestepien.com/2020/01/24/case-naji-marshall/

Lol I remember we talked about him before I’m just revisiting the draft when im bored and he caught my attention.

There’s a lot to like if we can fix the 3pt shot and he translates as a defender which i think he should be able to

[HeadtopChunes]

As of today, who would you take with the 28th overall pick if you were Masai & why?

Honestly this draft is so up and down i have no idea who will be available then but my favourite guy is still Leandro Bolmaro

[Psubs]

Yup, I mentioned Naji back in the early pages of this thread and you replied with the Stepien article

He's still one of my favourites in this draft because of all he can do. He reminds me a lot of Will Barton even though none of the statistical comparisons people have posted match them up. But both are slim built, do-it-all type wings.

He can't shoot 3's, shooting under 30% the last 2 seasons. He doesn't do anything else really well so at best he'll be G-League level and may play some games for a non-contender.

I wouldn’t say he can’t shoot 3s. He shot okay on catch and shoot looks and clearly has tough shot making ability. The FT% is a red flag though.

Also I think he can be an NBA level defender (his defense is his arguably best skill) which means he has at least has bench 3nD potential.

Would consider him at 58 or as a UDFA

People say that McCaw can't shoot 3's and he shoots over 30%. At the next level if you're shooting under 33% from 3 you're not helping your team win shooting them, so you better do other things really well.

Summer league invite fine. Maybe he excels there?

Would rather go with Malik Fitts at #58 than Naji Marshall.

Watch on YouTube

[HeadtopChunes]

He can't shoot 3's, shooting under 30% the last 2 seasons. He doesn't do anything else really well so at best he'll be G-League level and may play some games for a non-contender.

I wouldn’t say he can’t shoot 3s. He shot okay on catch and shoot looks and clearly has tough shot making ability. The FT% is a red flag though.

Also I think he can be an NBA level defender (his defense is his arguably best skill) which means he has at least has bench 3nD potential.

Would consider him at 58 or as a UDFA

People say that McCaw can't shoot 3's and he shoots over 30%. At the next level if you're shooting under 33% from 3 you're not helping your team win shooting them, so you better do other things really well.

Summer league invite fine. Maybe he excels there?

Would rather go with Malik Fitts at #58 than Naji Marshall.

Watch on YouTube

Yes but you have to look at shot difficulty when comparing percentages ie, McCaw had a higher 3p% than Luka but nobody would call Pat a better shooter. Marshall took a ton of bad shots

(credit Zach Milner)

In Marshall's case, you have to project the shots he should be taking in an NBA offense (ie mostly catch and shoot looks) nobody will let him shoot pull-up 3s like he is now early on. If he can maintain 36% from 3 on okay volume, he's not a negative spacer, with his handle and finishing ability could be a positive offensive player at SF who can also defend.

I haven't done any research into fitts but looks interesting will check him out.

[LoveMyRaps]

As of today, who would you take with the 28th overall pick if you were Masai & why?

Honestly this draft is so up and down i have no idea who will be available then but my favourite guy is still Leandro Bolmaro

Yeah its impossible to say who's gonna be available. Every mock draft is all over the place.
I like Bolmaro a lot as well. I'm still very high on Bane. The highest I've seen him get drafted is #35, but I honestly think he's worth the gamble at #28. Mane is another intriguing prospect I'd consider. For now though, any one of the 3 aforementioned names I'd be fine with, all for different reasons.

[BoyzNTheHood]

As of today, who would you take with the 28th overall pick if you were Masai & why?

As of today, if I'm basing availability by the Tankathon mock draft my top-5 for us at #28 would be...

1) Xavier Tillman
2) Tyrell Terry
3) Daniel Oturu
4) Precious Achiuwa
5) Desmond Bane

http://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

[Psubs]

As of today, who would you take with the 28th overall pick if you were Masai & why?

As of today, if I'm basing availability by the Tankathon mock draft my top-5 for us at #28 would be...

1) Xavier Tillman
2) Tyrell Terry
3) Daniel Oturu
4) Precious Achiuwa
5) Desmond Bane

http://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Jordan Nwora is interesting according to that availability. In December, he had Louisville ranked #1 in the country, eventually evening out to #14.

Watch on YouTube

Jordan Nwora put together an impressive 2019-20 season, becoming the only ACC player to rank in the top ten in points (18.0), rebounding (7.7), free throw percentage (.813), field goal percentage (.440) and three-pointers made per game (2.5).

Watch on YouTube

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/27490009/nigeria-jordan-nwora-no-coach-pet-even-coach-dad

He helped Nigeria beat team Canada.

https://www.busybuddiesng.com/2019-fiba-world-cup-real-reason-i-picked-my-son-jordan-dtigers-coach-alex-nwora/

“But if he’s one of those elite kids that we need to help us win just because he’s my son then somebody is definitely naive enough or not smart enough to know talent when they see one,” Nwora said of the player who averaged 17.2 PPG, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists for his college team last season where he was voted the second most improved player in the NCAA and the most improved in the ACC.

Masai might not select him just because he's Nigerian. He seems like a really good prospect playing in one of the best conferences.

[HeadtopChunes]

I also like Isiah Joe

Elite shooter + good defender

Maybe be Matt Thomas type who can actually guard

Watch on YouTube

Low stock for some reason but he looks draftable to me

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

I also like Isiah Joe

Elite shooter + good defender

Maybe be Matt Thomas type who can actually guard

Watch on YouTube

Low stock for some reason but he looks draftable to me

If we're looking for a Matt Thomas/JJ Reddick type of player... Payton Pritchard could be that guy. NBA range, tight handles, and lighting quick. His statistical improvement from his junior year to his senior year is what makes him a very intriguing choice for #58.

Payton Pritchard can't guard NBA pgs nor beat them off of the dribble. He's not lightning quick but he is a very heady, crafty player that maximizes his physical abilities. He has nice handles and good range on his jumper. But not at #28.

Watch on YouTube

[LoveMyRaps]

I also like Isiah Joe

Elite shooter + good defender

Maybe be Matt Thomas type who can actually guard

Watch on YouTube

Low stock for some reason but he looks draftable to me

If we're looking for a Matt Thomas/JJ Reddick type of player... Payton Pritchard could be that guy. NBA range, tight handles, and lighting quick. His statistical improvement from his junior year to his senior year is what makes him a very intriguing choice for #58.

[HeadtopChunes]

I also like Isiah Joe

Elite shooter + good defender

Maybe be Matt Thomas type who can actually guard


Low stock for some reason but he looks draftable to me

If we're looking for a Matt Thomas/JJ Reddick type of player... Payton Pritchard could be that guy. NBA range, tight handles, and lighting quick. His statistical improvement from his junior year to his senior year is what makes him a very intriguing choice for #58.

Pritchard seems more like a off-ball point guard type than a real shooting SG, especially due to his height.

For mostly shooting short guys who might be 2nd rounders, I like Cassius Winston and Malachi Flynn better.