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

[Dalek]

Post-Lottery Bleacher Report has Toronto selecting Devon Dotson. I like this pick because the speed and scoring skill is there. I feel like he could be a new wave Lowry in time.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2905484-2020-nba-mock-draft-1st-round-predictions-after-lottery-results

In a separate article they mention that Jalen Smith might sneak into the lottery and that RJ Hampton might fall out of the first. Raps should look deeply at taking if he is there at 29:

Teams don't sound as high on Hampton as they did earlier in the season, when many projected a lottery pick despite his decision to play in the NBL over the NCAA. While his explosiveness for a 6'5" guard always suggested upside, he didn't showcase any signature skill in Australia for scouts to feel confident.

I've started to hear late-first to early second-round grades from teams on Hampton, who combined to shoot 3-of-19 in exhibition games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grlzzlies when the New Zealand Breakers visited the United States in October 2019.

All it takes is one of 30 teams to buy into his athleticism and versatility while having patience with his shot and IQ. But he's definitely lost supporters, and he now sounds vulnerable to sliding.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2905180-2020-nba-draft-lottery-buzz-the-mystery-begins-right-at-the-top

Raptors can afford to let Hampton develop PG skills and shooting with the 905 for 2 years. I guess right now, he's a worse shooting, better passing Josh Green.

https://ca.nba.com/news/nba-draft-2020-rj-hampton-scouting-report-strengths-weaknesses-and-player-comparison/ctzo399rynrs1buego62i21zo

He was a 5-star recruit.

An absolute blur in transition he was a one-man fast break in the NBL and created a huge amount of easy buckets off turnovers, long rebounds, and even made baskets. The ability to score in transition against a defence that isn't set makes Hampton a player who can get buckets without needing a play called for him. When he gets the ball and takes it 94 feet for a layup four seconds into the shot clock those points can feel like found money.

Him and TD running the Bench Mob would be great!

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Watch on YouTube

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Lamelo has more usage than RJ and more PG skills at this point, but damn RJ looks so fast for 6'5! I did see him go left a couple of times (even though he still finished with his right hand).

Watch on YouTube

His shooting form looks smooth.

I agree that there is really nothing wrong with his shooting form - maybe he has to work on shot selection. He is a lot like Zach Lavine coming in. Lavine always carried himself like he was going to be a star and he has really developed in a pretty short time. I think Hampton has the freak athleticism and drive to succeed. If Toronto develops him, we could end up with the next Westbrook.

[Psubs]

I agree that there is really nothing wrong with his shooting form - maybe he has to work on shot selection. He is a lot like Zach Lavine coming in. Lavine always carried himself like he was going to be a star and he has really developed in a pretty short time. I think Hampton has the freak athleticism and drive to succeed. If Toronto develops him, we could end up with the next Westbrook.

Or like your comp, the next Lavine. Lavine was selected with the #13 pick! He has the handles and play-making that Cassius Stanley doesn't have yet.

In a couple of seasons...

PG FVV - Hampton
SG TD - Hampton
SF OG - Watson?
PF Siakam - Boucher?
C Giannis - Boucher?

Hampton is a nice gamble at #29 for a former top 5 projected pick.

#5
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/6/26/18661260/nba-mock-draft-2020-lamelo-ball-cole-anthony-rj-hampton-theo-maledon-deni-avdija

#3
https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/way_too_early_2020_nba_mock_draft/s1__29358926#slide_3

#3
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842188-a-way-too-soon-2020-nba-lottery-mock-draft

In the 2019 draft, Keldon Johnson and Kevin Porter Jr were taken #29 and #30.

[IceBelly05]

Ideal draft:
29 -Mason Jones, Xavier Tillman, Grant Riller, Poku(pipe dream)

59- Naji Marshall, Nate Hinton,

Undrafted: Ty-shon Alexander

Perfect list of prospects you have laid out there. Naji and Nate would be great gets at 59. Ty-shon Alexander would also be a nice pick-up, but I think we will be in a steep competition for his services.

Not sure if Jones would be ideal at 29, but if you buy his game a work ethic you might see some better defense than what he displayed in Arkansas. Mussellman through him into the deep-end as their high usage guard so I am not sure how much he had left for defense. He will have a different role in the NBA.

The way I look at Jones is he is just getting into basketball and just got his body right. I always like those heavier dudes that tone up like him. Harden is a similar guy with a big frame, so you can see how it works when you are driving as much as Jones does. His FTr was ridiculous last season.

Historically, I’ve been against guys like Jones who aren’t great defenders at the college level especially late in the first I think defence is the easiest skill to transfer and you hope other things catch up through development. But I am extremely sold on his offence someone linked an interesting post about jones earlier in this thread and that dude hits the nail on the head. His ability to get to the line, his continued development considering how late he started to truly play basketball, his strength and his efficiency with how high his usage is I think at 29 you absolutely take a chance on a guy who I think could be a 20 ppg scorer in this league

[Psubs]

Ideal draft:
29 -Mason Jones, Xavier Tillman, Grant Riller, Poku(pipe dream)

59- Naji Marshall, Nate Hinton,

Undrafted: Ty-shon Alexander

Perfect list of prospects you have laid out there. Naji and Nate would be great gets at 59. Ty-shon Alexander would also be a nice pick-up, but I think we will be in a steep competition for his services.

Not sure if Jones would be ideal at 29, but if you buy his game a work ethic you might see some better defense than what he displayed in Arkansas. Mussellman through him into the deep-end as their high usage guard so I am not sure how much he had left for defense. He will have a different role in the NBA.

The way I look at Jones is he is just getting into basketball and just got his body right. I always like those heavier dudes that tone up like him. Harden is a similar guy with a big frame, so you can see how it works when you are driving as much as Jones does. His FTr was ridiculous last season.

Historically, I’ve been against guys like Jones who aren’t great defenders at the college level especially late in the first I think defence is the easiest skill to transfer and you hope other things catch up through development. But I am extremely sold on his offence someone linked an interesting post about jones earlier in this thread and that dude hits the nail on the head. His ability to get to the line, his continued development considering how late he started to truly play basketball, his strength and his efficiency with how high his usage is I think at 29 you absolutely take a chance on a guy who I think could be a 20 ppg scorer in this league

I would still take RJ Hampton over Jones, based on higher ceiling on both offense and defense.

Maybe his hip injury cutting he season short makes him seem injury prone?

[Syd-TK3]

I agree that there is really nothing wrong with his shooting form - maybe he has to work on shot selection. He is a lot like Zach Lavine coming in. Lavine always carried himself like he was going to be a star and he has really developed in a pretty short time. I think Hampton has the freak athleticism and drive to succeed. If Toronto develops him, we could end up with the next Westbrook.

Or like your comp, the next Lavine. Lavine was selected with the #13 pick! He has the handles and play-making that Cassius Stanley doesn't have yet.

In a couple of seasons...

PG FVV - Hampton
SG TD - Hampton
SF OG - Watson?
PF Siakam - Boucher?
C Giannis - Boucher?

Hampton is a nice gamble at #29 for a former top 5 projected pick.

#5
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/6/26/18661260/nba-mock-draft-2020-lamelo-ball-cole-anthony-rj-hampton-theo-maledon-deni-avdija

#3
https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/way_too_early_2020_nba_mock_draft/s1__29358926#slide_3

#3
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842188-a-way-too-soon-2020-nba-lottery-mock-draft

In the 2019 draft, Keldon Johnson and Kevin Porter Jr were taken #29 and #30.

Hampton dropping to 29 would be an absolute steal lol I can only hope somehow the teams infront are that crazy

[Psubs]

Hampton dropping to 29 would be an absolute steal lol I can only hope somehow the teams infront are that crazy

This is deeper than the OG draft, so you never know.

Kira Lewis, Tyrell Terry, Isaiah Stewart, Pokusevski, Tyler Bey, Devon Dotson, Jalen Smith, Jahmius Ramsey, McDaniels, Josh Green, Manion, Bolmaro, Carey, Oturu, Paul Reed, all could be drafted after the lottery teams, ahead of Hampton and help push him back to #29.

[Syd-TK3]

Hampton dropping to 29 would be an absolute steal lol I can only hope somehow the teams infront are that crazy

This is deeper than the OG draft, so you never know.

Kira Lewis, Tyrell Terry, Isaiah Stewart, Pokusevski, Tyler Bey, Devon Dotson, Jalen Smith, Jahmius Ramsey, McDaniels, Josh Green, Manion, Bolmaro, Carey, Oturu, Paul Reed, all could be drafted after the lottery teams, ahead of Hampton and help push him back to #29.

I don't know if it's deeper but theres just a whole lot more unknowns
I think the top 14 is pretty set too so anything after that can be so many different scenarios but this ones pretty out there. It's much more likely McDaniels or Theo drops and I'd be equally as happy.
But like I said I'm hoping that's the case

[BallstriKer]

I agree that there is really nothing wrong with his shooting form - maybe he has to work on shot selection. He is a lot like Zach Lavine coming in. Lavine always carried himself like he was going to be a star and he has really developed in a pretty short time. I think Hampton has the freak athleticism and drive to succeed. If Toronto develops him, we could end up with the next Westbrook.

Or like your comp, the next Lavine. Lavine was selected with the #13 pick! He has the handles and play-making that Cassius Stanley doesn't have yet.

In a couple of seasons...

PG FVV - Hampton
SG TD - Hampton
SF OG - Watson?
PF Siakam - Boucher?
C Giannis - Boucher?

Hampton is a nice gamble at #29 for a former top 5 projected pick.

#5
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/6/26/18661260/nba-mock-draft-2020-lamelo-ball-cole-anthony-rj-hampton-theo-maledon-deni-avdija

#3
https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/way_too_early_2020_nba_mock_draft/s1__29358926#slide_3

#3
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842188-a-way-too-soon-2020-nba-lottery-mock-draft

In the 2019 draft, Keldon Johnson and Kevin Porter Jr were taken #29 and #30.

Hopefully Hernandez develops into something, or we could draft another big by acquiring picks if we're going with a guard at 29. I don't trust Boucher to be a reliable back up C playing heavy minutes.

[PhilBlackson]

I’ll keep saying it but Jaden McDaniels is the kid we need to find a way to draft.

[yt_boi]

I’ll keep saying it but Jaden McDaniels is the kid we need to find a way to draft.

Doubt he ever puts it all together to actually be a good NBA player.

Hes very smooth for a player his size, almost kd esque in some ways. But for the most part he was highly ineffective in college and turned it over and put up bad shots and very foul prone. He did get a block and steal a game but his actual defense was horrible, he gambles and was too weak. He's a wow moment guy, he'll make the highlights but if you watch the games you'll see more lowlights.
He would not fit in our team and doubt he'd ever be a good NBA player. He'd just stick around awhile as everyone would have the hope he'd finally turn it around.

[Psubs]

I’ll keep saying it but Jaden McDaniels is the kid we need to find a way to draft.

Doubt he ever puts it all together to actually be a good NBA player.

Hes very smooth for a player his size, almost kd esque in some ways. But for the most part he was highly ineffective in college and turned it over and put up bad shots and very foul prone. He did get a block and steal a game but his actual defense was horrible, he gambles and was too weak. He's a wow moment guy, he'll make the highlights but if you watch the games you'll see more lowlights.
He would not fit in our team and doubt he'd ever be a good NBA player. He'd just stick around awhile as everyone would have the hope he'd finally turn it around.

Sounds like the SF version of Marquese Chriss.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/marquese-chriss-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jaden-mcdaniels-1.html

[Psubs]

I’ll keep saying it but Jaden McDaniels is the kid we need to find a way to draft.

If it's a trade up, not into the top 5, I'd find a way to draft Avdija, Vassell, or Patrick Williams

[Indeed]

I’ll keep saying it but Jaden McDaniels is the kid we need to find a way to draft.

If it's a trade up, not into the top 5, I'd find a way to draft Avdija, Vassell, or Patrick Williams

If it's a trade up, not into the top 5, we will need to send McCaw as well (Johnson cannot be traded), otherwise we could be over the tax.

Therefore, I wish we trade down, and not get another pick, because we have no roster spot to re-sign our bench player.

[Psubs]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Aaron Henry shoots lefty and his floaters/around the bucket righty! Maybe he changes his mind and turns eligible? #59 pick? Good passer, decent defender, decent 3pt shooter, good program. Maybe Mo Pete 2.0?

[DG88]

I know Karim Mane has been talked about by a few here. Funny enough a friend of mine who I went to university with is actually doing his pre draft workouts in Montreal.

From what I've been able to see from Karim he definitely has the skill to be a NBA player, I can see him being taken with our second or as an undrafted free agent.

[Syd-TK3]

I know Karim Mane has been talked about by a few here. Funny enough a friend of mine who I went to university with is actually doing his pre draft workouts in Montreal.

From what I've been able to see from Karim he definitely has the skill to be a NBA player, I can see him being taken with our second or as an undrafted free agent.

He's my main preference with our 2nd pick. If workouts do get to happen I'm worried he'll start rising on boards though

[Psubs]

I know Karim Mane has been talked about by a few here. Funny enough a friend of mine who I went to university with is actually doing his pre draft workouts in Montreal.

From what I've been able to see from Karim he definitely has the skill to be a NBA player, I can see him being taken with our second or as an undrafted free agent.

He's my main preference with our 2nd pick. If workouts do get to happen I'm worried he'll start rising on boards though

Young Lance Stephenson without the headcase?

I wouldn't mind him at #29 if they feel he's the best guard available.

Really though, I would like to trade #59 and 2021 2nd pick to move up into the 40's. Maybe dump Stanley + cash?

Toronto trades: #59, 2021 2nd pick, Stanley Johnson and cash
Sacramento trades: #52

[Indeed]

Aaron Henry shoots lefty and his floaters/around the bucket righty! Maybe he changes his mind and turns eligible? #59 pick? Good passer, decent defender, decent 3pt shooter, good program. Maybe Mo Pete 2.0?

He is returning to school:
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/29584257/michigan-state-aaron-henry-withdrawing-draft

He would be a sleeper on this draft, and his ceiling would be more than Mo Pete. He is already a 3+D, I believe.

[Indeed]

I know Karim Mane has been talked about by a few here. Funny enough a friend of mine who I went to university with is actually doing his pre draft workouts in Montreal.

From what I've been able to see from Karim he definitely has the skill to be a NBA player, I can see him being taken with our second or as an undrafted free agent.

He's my main preference with our 2nd pick. If workouts do get to happen I'm worried he'll start rising on boards though

Young Lance Stephenson without the headcase?

I wouldn't mind him at #29 if they feel he's the best guard available.

Really though, I would like to trade #59 and 2021 2nd pick to move up into the 40's. Maybe dump Stanley + cash?

Toronto trades: #59, 2021 2nd pick, Stanley Johnson and cash
Sacramento trades: #52

We can't trade Stanley Johnson, he has a player option.

I do not see the needs of moving up as well, and best to take him undrafted with a 2-way contract than a 2nd round contract.
Because we may need someone who can contribute when injuries come, and ideally, 2nd round contract would be someone who can contribute immediately.

[Psubs]

Aaron Henry shoots lefty and his floaters/around the bucket righty! Maybe he changes his mind and turns eligible? #59 pick? Good passer, decent defender, decent 3pt shooter, good program. Maybe Mo Pete 2.0?

He is returning to school:
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/29584257/michigan-state-aaron-henry-withdrawing-draft

He would be a sleeper on this draft, and his ceiling would be more than Mo Pete. He is already a 3+D, I believe.

If there isn't going to be a college season, shouldn't they allow those that previously declared to re-declare?