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

[OAKLEY_2]

Why are so many of you thinking our picks are supposed to help our offense next year? None of our draft picks are supposed to be players the Raptors should expect contribution from next year. So I don't see how some players are being picked or rejected for what they'll contribute to the bench lineup. Their immediate contribution is probably bottom of the list for why a player gets picked where we're concerned.

That is what I have been saying, anyone we drafted could be behind Davis, while Davis didn't get a lot of minutes last year, and got fouled out in 15 mins. I expect who we drafted may spend half the time in D-League first, similar to Siakam, Boucher, and etc.

That's why getting someone like Hinton, Woodard or Reed would take RHJ's role and actually shoot from 2 (maybe not Reed), but would be okay defensively at SF, when OG slides to backup PF.

Right. Unknown late drafted player just up and takes RHJs role. That is both a misunderstanding of drafted player value and most definitely a lack of value placed on RHJ as a player despite shooting issues. RHJ had Norm bench numbers of old and he doesn't even shoot the three. People around here badly underestimate the contributions of RHJ and that applies to a lot of other players as well.

[DreamTeam09]

That is what I have been saying, anyone we drafted could be behind Davis, while Davis didn't get a lot of minutes last year, and got fouled out in 15 mins. I expect who we drafted may spend half the time in D-League first, similar to Siakam, Boucher, and etc.

That's why getting someone like Hinton, Woodard or Reed would take RHJ's role and actually shoot from 2 (maybe not Reed), but would be okay defensively at SF, when OG slides to backup PF.

Right. Unknown late drafted player just up and takes RHJs role. That is both a misunderstanding of drafted player value and most definitely a lack of value placed on RHJ as a player despite shooting issues. RHJ had Norm bench numbers of old and he doesn't even shoot the three. People around here badly underestimate the contributions of RHJ and that applies to a lot of other players as well.

Let's not act like that can't happen and doesn't happen all the time.

Miami heat have Nunn and Duncan Robinson who fit that mold.

TD an undrafted rookie played well for us and deserved more playing time

fVV took minutes from Powell his rookie year

Eric paschal from GS, I'd much rather have him last year than RHJ.

I'm a RHJ too btw, wouldn't mind having him back

[ATLTimekeeper]

RHJ also didn't crack the playoff rotation, so his worth was more just eating minutes in the regular season. I think there's clearly too much time here leading to people thinking they've found diamonds in the late 2nd or undrafted range.

Duncan Robinson is a great example. He was a bad college player who was trying to move into media because he realized he had little chance of being a professional athlete. One private workout with the Heat changed everything. There's no way anyone watching from home could have seen this kid as a legitimate NBA player, let alone a starter on a finalist in his 2nd full season. Even the Heat would not have predicted that.

[Indeed]

That's why getting someone like Hinton, Woodard or Reed would take RHJ's role and actually shoot from 2 (maybe not Reed), but would be okay defensively at SF, when OG slides to backup PF.

Right. Unknown late drafted player just up and takes RHJs role. That is both a misunderstanding of drafted player value and most definitely a lack of value placed on RHJ as a player despite shooting issues. RHJ had Norm bench numbers of old and he doesn't even shoot the three. People around here badly underestimate the contributions of RHJ and that applies to a lot of other players as well.

Let's not act like that can't happen and doesn't happen all the time.

Miami heat have Nunn and Duncan Robinson who fit that mold.

TD an undrafted rookie played well for us and deserved more playing time

fVV took minutes from Powell his rookie year

Eric paschal from GS, I'd much rather have him last year than RHJ.

I'm a RHJ too btw, wouldn't mind having him back

RHJ also didn't crack the playoff rotation, so his worth was more just eating minutes in the regular season. I think there's clearly too much time here leading to people thinking they've found diamonds in the late 2nd or undrafted range.

Duncan Robinson is a great example. He was a bad college player who was trying to move into media because he realized he had little chance of being a professional athlete. One private workout with the Heat changed everything. There's no way anyone watching from home could have seen this kid as a legitimate NBA player, let alone a starter on a finalist in his 2nd full season. Even the Heat would not have predicted that.

It happens, but it doesn't happen all the time, and in fact it doesn't happen very often.
It happen because usually teams draft for potential, while undraft players may have less potential, but ready to contribute. Meanwhile, it also depends on the depth of the roster and the skillset the team needs.

Miami still ended up with Dragic starting in the playoffs even they started Nunn on the regular season. TD and VanVleet also possess different skillset than Powell.

As for RHJ, his defense, vision and pushing the pace may fit better with the regular season on the bench than Hinton, Woodard or Reed at their current stage. He is unlikely to get minutes in the playoffs as the pace would be slowed down.

[Kevin Willis]

Should we be paying more attention to Yam Madar for our 59th selection?
I know Masai and Bobby got him on their radar:


Note: Yam finished the game with 9pts, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals in only 19 minutes of action. He shot 2/3 from the field and 1/1 from deep.

Know he hasn't really been discussed in this thread so here's an excellent in-depth piece on him to get us started:

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2020/3/30/21184310/yam-madar-nba-draft-scouting-report-atlanta-hawks-evaluation-deep-dive

Yam Madar is an interesting prospect.

Defensively, I love what he brings and there’s really not a lot to not love there. I think he’s going to succeed in his career defensively, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he becomes a top-tier defender in Europe for a EuroLeague team. I love the intensity and the pressure he creates in full-court situations — it really makes the defense uncomfortable. There’s a few question marks as to what the zone defense opens up for his ability as a help/secondary defender, but as a one-on-one defender, Madar excels with Hapoel Tel Aviv, especially at age 19.

Obviously since this is a NBA draft scouting report, you have to obviously ask the question: would this defense translate to the NBA? Could he excel defensively there? I think perhaps he could, yes. But defense is not the issue when it comes to Madar — it’s everything else.

The NBA, as we know, prioritizes offense. There’s a job for only a select few that can’t provide offense but provide stout defense, especially when it comes to guards. There are far many more job for guards who can excel offensively who don’t add defense than the reverse.

This puts Madar in a difficult position.

He’s not a good three-point shooter right now, and that’s at least a small problem. He struggles to create for himself off of the dribble, which is also a problem. He struggles to do anything, really, at a high level offensively right now, nothing really stands out. These are all big problems.

From a playmaking point of view, Madar can make some plays but they’re fairly basic, it’s nothing spectacular. He’s not helped by having to run what looks like a pretty poor offensive system that generates plenty average/below average three-point looks that aren’t made and not a ton going toward the rim in terms of pick-and-roll, so I’m willing to give him somewhat of a pass.

Other issues include athleticism — Madar is not necessarily unathletic, but he’s not jumping out of the gym either. He does have some pace on his side, but struggles to utilize this (again, there are some factors that don’t help him when it comes to this).

But the one thing Madar does have going for him is that he is young — turning 20 in December. He also already has a solid role in a league that is pretty competitive and in a professional league, and there’s always something to be said for that. For 19 years old, his foundation is solid.

p.s. Dudes behind the back is super filthy.

He's been discussed in this thread. Everyone has been discussed in this thread in some detail. There are better Euros around the same age. He has a good motor if I remember and a good defensive player but will have trouble shooting and his shot needs to be rebuilt.

[Syd-TK3]

I like Yam but I we seriously need some bigger guards

Also is there any sorta date/timeline for when the physical testing is supposed to happen?

[DreamTeam09]

Has the draft been given a date ?

[DG88]

Has the draft been given a date ?

Nov 18th

[Alfred]

Watch on YouTube

Hey guys, I created a new video detailing the draft with none other than our very own HeadtopChunes! Enjoy!

[Dalek]

Watch on YouTube

Hey guys, I created a new video detailing the draft with none other than our very own HeadtopChunes! Enjoy!

That was really good analysis on the draft in general and who the Raps should target. I love that Josh Hall made an appearance even if it was a late second. I think he ends up a first round pick, but definitely the draftnik consensus has him as a second rounder.

My trade up would have been either Kira Lewis who to me is a quicker Delon Wright. I'd have also considered Tyrell Terry because he is such a good shooter and is so young.

If I was drafting first overall I'd have gone with Ball. He is strictly a feel type of guy. You watch him play and he pops on film because he sees the game in the way special players do. The size mixed with the handle and passing ability off the dribble is too special. He has a weird shooting form but not as weird as his brother so I think it will iron out over time.

[nabbs]

Read on Twitter

[Dalek]

Just reading the tealeaves a bit. If Masai has Toronto in position for Giannis than a traditional PG is not likely in Toronto's best interest. FVV will likely be re-signed because Masai has also said that is a priority. While back-up PG will be needed, with a guy like Giannis and Siakam and FVV, you don't really need too many ballhandlers.

Getting a knockdown shooter with size might make better sense. For one, it is an easy fit to add in a shooter regardless of Giannis, and secondly, there is always a need for size plus shooting.

I ran some numbers, and over the last 3 years out of the mock draft ranked forwards, only three made more than 150 threes:
Jordan Nwora (178 made 3s on 39.4%)
Elijah Hughes (165 - 34%)
Tres Tinkle (152 - 33%)

Now Saddiq Bey didn't make the cut because he only played two seasons, and he likely would be at the top of the list given his shooting. Aaron Nesmith had a great year, but his brilliant run was only 14 games and the year previous he shot 34%. Nwora has a better track record than both, yet he isn't mocked too high.

I think he projects as a combo 3/4 with plus shooting and rebounding. Just a nice shooter with size which is always in demand (see Duncan Robinson with a bit more hops).

Interesting tidbit is he is from Buffalo and has Nigerian heritage. Jordan Nwora plays for the Nigerian NT and his dad, Alex Nwora is the head coach.

Depending on your perspective, he might grade out as a first round talent given he is 6'8 and shoots from deep range at 40%.

[OAKLEY_2]

That's why getting someone like Hinton, Woodard or Reed would take RHJ's role and actually shoot from 2 (maybe not Reed), but would be okay defensively at SF, when OG slides to backup PF.

Right. Unknown late drafted player just up and takes RHJs role. That is both a misunderstanding of drafted player value and most definitely a lack of value placed on RHJ as a player despite shooting issues. RHJ had Norm bench numbers of old and he doesn't even shoot the three. People around here badly underestimate the contributions of RHJ and that applies to a lot of other players as well.

Let's not act like that can't happen and doesn't happen all the time.

Miami heat have Nunn and Duncan Robinson who fit that mold.

TD an undrafted rookie played well for us and deserved more playing time

fVV took minutes from Powell his rookie year

Eric paschal from GS, I'd much rather have him last year than RHJ.

I'm a RHJ too btw, wouldn't mind having him back

TD II doesn't yet have the mileage to take time from RHJ. Not on a previous to Bubble 2nd seed team.

[Dalek]

Josh Hall looking like a freak with his mobility and shooting skill:

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

If Toronto wants to give this year a year or two to develop they might have a starter.

[Kevin Willis]

Just reading the tealeaves a bit. If Masai has Toronto in position for Giannis than a traditional PG is not likely in Toronto's best interest. FVV will likely be re-signed because Masai has also said that is a priority. While back-up PG will be needed, with a guy like Giannis and Siakam and FVV, you don't really need too many ballhandlers.

Getting a knockdown shooter with size might make better sense. For one, it is an easy fit to add in a shooter regardless of Giannis, and secondly, there is always a need for size plus shooting.

I ran some numbers, and over the last 3 years out of the mock draft ranked forwards, only three made more than 150 threes:
Jordan Nwora (178 made 3s on 39.4%)
Elijah Hughes (165 - 34%)
Tres Tinkle (152 - 33%)

Now Saddiq Bey didn't make the cut because he only played two seasons, and he likely would be at the top of the list given his shooting. Aaron Nesmith had a great year, but his brilliant run was only 14 games and the year previous he shot 34%. Nwora has a better track record than both, yet he isn't mocked too high.

I think he projects as a combo 3/4 with plus shooting and rebounding. Just a nice shooter with size which is always in demand (see Duncan Robinson with a bit more hops).

Interesting tidbit is he is from Buffalo and has Nigerian heritage. Jordan Nwora plays for the Nigerian NT and his dad, Alex Nwora is the head coach.

Depending on your perspective, he might grade out as a first round talent given he is 6'8 and shoots from deep range at 40%.

Let him work out with Rico to improve fitness, speed and explosion and he's a lotto player.

Watch on YouTube

[Psubs]

Josh Hall looking like a freak with his mobility and shooting skill:

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

If Toronto wants to give this year a year or two to develop they might have a starter.

Sold. I like him more as a prospect than Jaden McDaniels.

[Psubs]

Can we draft Jimmy Butler 2.0?

[Dalek]

Josh Hall looking like a freak with his mobility and shooting skill:

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

If Toronto wants to give this year a year or two to develop they might have a starter.

Sold. I like him more as a prospect than Jaden McDaniels.

McDaniels to me is just too similar in build to his brother. Just a very narrow body that gets knocked around because his base is so weak.

Hall, I think he could end up a hybrid 3-4.

[Dalek]

Let him work out with Rico to improve fitness, speed and explosion and he's a lotto player.

Watch on YouTube

When I watch the video I see him having decent vertical, and he grabs boards, so if he just improves his agility to be able to move laterally you have a very good player.

His shot is consistent and he is 6'8" so Nwora's shot isn't likely to get blocked.You look at other shooters like Bane and Joe and they are small guys. Joe has a quick release that helps him some, but I'd worry about Bane at the next level.

One weird fact I picked up in a CBS interview was that Nwora's favorite team growing up was not the Knicks or Nets, but Toronto. He even went to the All-Star game when it was hosted in Toronto. Buffalo is practically a suburb of Toronto distance wise.

[Syd-TK3]

Josh Hall looking like a freak with his mobility and shooting skill:

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

If Toronto wants to give this year a year or two to develop they might have a starter.

Sold. I like him more as a prospect than Jaden McDaniels.

I think that's the mystery factor talking lol
They're basically the same age only a month apart but McDaniels has actually played against college competition compared to just highscool, he might not have had the best results but it's still a factor.
McDaniels looks a bit more talented as a shot maker to me