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

[Syd-TK3]

I think there's a okay amount of talent to just go BPA at 28 then try and get something of need at 58 or undrafted

Also the combine potentially being changed to virtual could really benefit the teams later in the first round who are known to do good amounts of research on players and willing to take risks as opposed to seeing them in person

[Mark_83]

I personally like Riller but I can think of a few reasons people not liking him...
- He isn't a floor general/classic point guard
- Questions about his defence
- Assuming we are bring back Fred, we have a log jam at the guard positions

This exactly. Need a Riller type player at forward.

With Terence Davis, don't need to use #28 on a guard to show FVV that we aren't desperate to sign him.

I love our guard rotation but it's not bullet proof. When we lost a primary ball handler (Kyle or Fred), we were really struggling looking for another guy who can fulfil that role (Norm, TD, McCaw). Nurse ended up going with McCaw but that wasn't optimal.

To add to that, Fred is a free agent this summer, Norm and Kyle are free agents the following summer. It's not unlikely that we lose one of our 3 best guards within the next couple of years.

I'm not saying we HAVE to draft a guard but the timing isn't bad either.

edit: Also if there was a player with forward size and Riller's skill set (ball handling, scoring from all levels), that guy would be a top 5 pick.

This draft is so deep in PG that it could be a good idea to add one either at 28 or by buying a pick early in the 2nd to find either Lowry or Fred's replacement.

My PG ranking for us:

Tyrell Terry
Kyra Lewis
Cassius Winston
Malachi Flynn
Ashton Hagans
Devon Dotson
Tre Jones
Grant Riller
David Johnson
Jared Butler
Joel Ayayi
Abdoulaye N’Doye

[Indeed]

I think there's a okay amount of talent to just go BPA at 28 then try and get something of need at 58 or undrafted

Also the combine potentially being changed to virtual could really benefit the teams later in the first round who are known to do good amounts of research on players and willing to take risks as opposed to seeing them in person

Actually, there is no BPA at 28 when their overall talent level/rating are equivalent. Unlike lottery pick that you can pick a higher tier, basically on a weak draft at the bottom of 1st round, it would have them ranked among the same tier. We might just look for a high upside player who may able to develop further at 28. As for 58, we have been looking at raw players, even I am not sure we did well on our late second round based on our historical record.

[BoyzNTheHood]

My gut is that we'll take Jalen Smith, but I have no reasoning behind it, it's just a feeling.

[Psubs]

My gut is that we'll take Jalen Smith, but I have no reasoning behind it, it's just a feeling.

I'd be cool with that. He seems like he'd fit into the offense.

7'1.5 wingspan is just okay. 75% FT's is good for a C. Mobile, easily dunk from 2 feet.

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[God Squad]

My gut is that we'll take Jalen Smith, but I have no reasoning behind it, it's just a feeling.

I think Jalen Smith would be great value at 28. We'd have a capable ibaka/gasol backup who'll fit into the offense and stretch the floor.

[LoveMyRaps]

I'm fairly certain this is the draft Masai will move up. Whether its a Saddiq Bey or a Precious Achiuwa, if there's a guy Masai has his eyes set on, you better believe he'll get it done.
He's better equipped to trade up (or buy another pick) than ever before with a load of cheap contracts.
McCaw, Boucher, SJ, Matt Thomas some of the options. Possibly why Masai decided to stand pat on deadline day, because he wanted to utilize some of those pieces on draft night.

[Indeed]

I'm fairly certain this is the draft Masai will move up. Whether its a Saddiq Bey or a Precious Achiuwa, if there's a guy Masai has his eyes set on, you better believe he'll get it done.
He's better equipped to trade up (or buy another pick) than ever before with a load of cheap contracts.
McCaw, Boucher, SJ, Matt Thomas some of the options. Possibly why Masai decided to stand pat on deadline day, because he wanted to utilize some of those pieces on draft night.

Such a weak draft, I seriously doubt we will trade up.
Next year draft is much stronger, this year tier 1 may not equivalent to next year tier 2, maybe more towards their tier 3
Not surprised Saddiq Bey would be a high or mid 2nd on the next year draft, so I am unsure why we trade up this year instead of using this year pick for next year or the year after.

[Psubs]

I'm fairly certain this is the draft Masai will move up. Whether its a Saddiq Bey or a Precious Achiuwa, if there's a guy Masai has his eyes set on, you better believe he'll get it done.
He's better equipped to trade up (or buy another pick) than ever before with a load of cheap contracts.
McCaw, Boucher, SJ, Matt Thomas some of the options. Possibly why Masai decided to stand pat on deadline day, because he wanted to utilize some of those pieces on draft night.

Such a weak draft, I seriously doubt we will trade up.
Next year draft is much stronger, this year tier 1 may not equivalent to next year tier 2, maybe more towards their tier 3
Not surprised Saddiq Bey would be a high or mid 2nd on the next year draft, so I am unsure why we trade up this year instead of using this year pick for next year or the year after.

Agreed. He's never traded up. Just have better scouting.

[IceBelly05]

Another player that the Raptors should consider in the 2nd round or as an UDFA is G Myles Powell (Seton Hall). He is a 4 year player like Terrence Davis was and could be ready to contribute as a rookie.

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Seem to be Harden type of player.
Very unsure about his defense, as seen on the clips, he gambles a lot. If he can't get that steal, it would be a blowby.

He’s really a Jordan Crawford type of player where he takes a ton of questionable shots and makes some questionable shots and is a human microwave. On the right team there’s room for someone like that

[Psubs]

Another player that the Raptors should consider in the 2nd round or as an UDFA is G Myles Powell (Seton Hall). He is a 4 year player like Terrence Davis was and could be ready to contribute as a rookie.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Seem to be Harden type of player.
Very unsure about his defense, as seen on the clips, he gambles a lot. If he can't get that steal, it would be a blowby.

He’s really a Jordan Crawford type of player where he takes a ton of questionable shots and makes some questionable shots and is a human microwave. On the right team there’s room for someone like that

The right team is a bad non-playoff team where a player can be hot half of the time and will help them because their winning % is under .500.

[IceBelly05]

Wasn’t suggesting him to the raptors cause we have more than a few smaller guards as is (Lowry, Fred, McCaw, Thomas, Norm) so really no room for him but I think you can have a guy like him on a playoff team. Probably not on a championship contender, but think of Lou Will before he became a good passer. He has more size than Lou so I imagine he won’t be as much of a liability on defence. Off the top of my head I think Denver could use someone like Powell, but as a UDFA he can provide something at the nba level right away and that counts for something.

[Syd-TK3]

I think there's a okay amount of talent to just go BPA at 28 then try and get something of need at 58 or undrafted

Also the combine potentially being changed to virtual could really benefit the teams later in the first round who are known to do good amounts of research on players and willing to take risks as opposed to seeing them in person

Actually, there is no BPA at 28 when their overall talent level/rating are equivalent. Unlike lottery pick that you can pick a higher tier, basically on a weak draft at the bottom of 1st round, it would have them ranked among the same tier. We might just look for a high upside player who may able to develop further at 28. As for 58, we have been looking at raw players, even I am not sure we did well on our late second round based on our historical record.

When I say BPA I mean in the event that someone who probably should be picked higher is available.
I agree with just taking the high upside though regardless of the risk at 28. Massai had shown he can get complementary/needed talent late in the 2nd or even undrafted

[Ell Curry]

Cockburn is not a rim runner lob threat type. He's a very 90s style center. Very strong and with a good hook and decent touch. But his inexperience, rapid development and being probably the main factor in bringing a team from 108th on defense up to 35th as a freshman are the case for him not being an Okafor style obsolete type but more of a Robin Lopez on defense and Wendell Carter Jr on offense kind of thing, which is a kind of Poeltl level player of a good backup or passable starter if things go well.

Interesting, I can't think of many NBA players or even athletes like him ... He's kinda stiff and raw .. ya obviously that's a concern but it's the type of challenge I would assume a top end organization like the Raptors are comfortable with

I don't think he's a rim runner .. but all the skills to use that tool are there and I feel like I had seen it used heavily by Illinois but I have only watched a handful of games. Illinois shot a ton of good look 3s because of his precense inside .. yet had an awful shooting % but I had seen quality chances created by teams trying to deal with him

I think he could be somewhere between Serge and Marc.. he really could learn fast under there guidance. Situational centres seem pretty normal in today's NBA and he certainly will create opportunities for mismatches day 1

Valanciaunas comes to mind as a physical center with a good touch, but Cockburn is behind him as a shooter.

[Psubs]

Wasn’t suggesting him to the raptors cause we have more than a few smaller guards as is (Lowry, Fred, McCaw, Thomas, Norm) so really no room for him but I think you can have a guy like him on a playoff team. Probably not on a championship contender, but think of Lou Will before he became a good passer. He has more size than Lou so I imagine he won’t be as much of a liability on defence. Off the top of my head I think Denver could use someone like Powell, but as a UDFA he can provide something at the nba level right away and that counts for something.

Denver has Monte Morris. If Milsap leaves they could use someone to "back" Michael Porter Jr.

[HeadtopChunes]

Wasn’t suggesting him to the raptors cause we have more than a few smaller guards as is (Lowry, Fred, McCaw, Thomas, Norm) so really no room for him but I think you can have a guy like him on a playoff team. Probably not on a championship contender, but think of Lou Will before he became a good passer. He has more size than Lou so I imagine he won’t be as much of a liability on defence. Off the top of my head I think Denver could use someone like Powell, but as a UDFA he can provide something at the nba level right away and that counts for something.

Denver has Monte Morris. If Milsap leaves they could use someone to "back" Michael Porter Jr.

They still have Jerami Grant. Denver needs to upgrade talent not depth imo

[Psubs]

Wasn’t suggesting him to the raptors cause we have more than a few smaller guards as is (Lowry, Fred, McCaw, Thomas, Norm) so really no room for him but I think you can have a guy like him on a playoff team. Probably not on a championship contender, but think of Lou Will before he became a good passer. He has more size than Lou so I imagine he won’t be as much of a liability on defence. Off the top of my head I think Denver could use someone like Powell, but as a UDFA he can provide something at the nba level right away and that counts for something.

Denver has Monte Morris. If Milsap leaves they could use someone to "back" Michael Porter Jr.

They still have Jerami Grant. Denver needs to upgrade talent not depth imo

I suppose achieve that with #23.

PG Murray - Morris
SG Harris - Barton
SF Grant - Barton
PF MPJr - BatesDiop
C Jokic - #23

[Indeed]

I think there's a okay amount of talent to just go BPA at 28 then try and get something of need at 58 or undrafted

Also the combine potentially being changed to virtual could really benefit the teams later in the first round who are known to do good amounts of research on players and willing to take risks as opposed to seeing them in person

Actually, there is no BPA at 28 when their overall talent level/rating are equivalent. Unlike lottery pick that you can pick a higher tier, basically on a weak draft at the bottom of 1st round, it would have them ranked among the same tier. We might just look for a high upside player who may able to develop further at 28. As for 58, we have been looking at raw players, even I am not sure we did well on our late second round based on our historical record.

When I say BPA I mean in the event that someone who probably should be picked higher is available.
I agree with just taking the high upside though regardless of the risk at 28. Massai had shown he can get complementary/needed talent late in the 2nd or even undrafted

I think it is good if someone higher is available, but it is less likely it is a tier above on this draft, which is the problem of this year draft. Next year would be much better though, and even bottom of the 1st round may able to distinguish BPA.

[Psubs]

Actually, there is no BPA at 28 when their overall talent level/rating are equivalent. Unlike lottery pick that you can pick a higher tier, basically on a weak draft at the bottom of 1st round, it would have them ranked among the same tier. We might just look for a high upside player who may able to develop further at 28. As for 58, we have been looking at raw players, even I am not sure we did well on our late second round based on our historical record.

When I say BPA I mean in the event that someone who probably should be picked higher is available.
I agree with just taking the high upside though regardless of the risk at 28. Massai had shown he can get complementary/needed talent late in the 2nd or even undrafted

I think it is good if someone higher is available, but it is less likely it is a tier above on this draft, which is the problem of this year draft. Next year would be much better though, and even bottom of the 1st round may able to distinguish BPA.

Who are drop candidates?

Saddiq Bey, Josh Green, Maldeon, Carey, Precious Achiuwa?

[Dalek]

The one obvious trade-up candidate to me is Deni Avdija. I know that Masai has scouted him in Europe.

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And, has even seen Deni in BWB where he won MVP for the showcase.

https://www.eurohoops.net/en/fiba/827912/nikola-jokic-bogdan-bogdanovic-and-more-to-coach-at-5th-annual-bwb-global-camp/

To me, Masai's draft history is not really focus on the NCAA but international guys.

I think it is partly because he sees a need to bring in global talent to be a first, and secondly, the a lot of these guys don't come from privilege, but got to be on the NBA radar through hard work and talent.

I could see him seeing the same with Dei Avdija who will likely be the highest selected Israeli player ever (Omri Cassipi was drafted 23). Masai would probably love to have a unique story and talent like Deni.

Of course Avdija grew up in a affluent part of Israel, and his dad was a Serbian basketball star, so he is not a rags to riches story. But, he has grown up with Maccabi and the Euroleague, so nothing was handed to him and in fact he has had the most pressure put on him.

To me a gamble on a future Luka-type player makes a ton of sense for Toronto. I could see this more than any Lonzo Ball trade-up.

Highlights and breakdown by Deni and Espn:

Spoiler:

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