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Five Best Draft Picks in Toronto Raptors Team History

By Kevin Nimmock

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This year will be the Toronto Raptors’ 20th time participating in the NBA Draft. Over the two decades, the Raps have made some good decisions and some bad ones. We tend to linger on the bad ones, which continue to leave a stale taste in our mouths (thanks Andrea Bargnani). Regardless, the many Raptors GMs over the years have made some good calls, which have helped solidify the team for years to come. This list will take the player’s overall career trajectory into account, giving preference to players who positively impacted or continue to impact the Raptors, and not just the league itself. For example, while Roy Hibbert turned out to be a steal when he was picked with the 17th selection in the 2008 draft, he won’t find his way onto the list because he was traded immediately to the Indiana Pacers.

5.) Damon Stoudamire

The Mighty Mouse played in Toronto for only two and a half seasons, but he made his presence count while he was in the 416. Stoudamire was the Raptors’ first ever pick (seventh overall in the 1995 draft) and had likely the most successful rookie season of any Raptors draftee ever. Stoudamire started all 70 games that he played, averaging 19 points and 9.3 assists per game for the struggling Raptors. He won Rookie of the Year and represented strong potential on the Raps’ roster. The next season, he played with about the same quality, showing his rookie campaign wasn’t simply a flash in the pan. Unfortunately, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 13, 1998. Had he stayed longer in Toronto, he likely could have set many of the records players like Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are trying to break now.

4.) Jonas Valanciunas

Jan 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) drives around Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Boston 109-96. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

JV is now in his third season in Toronto, with seemingly no intention of leaving anytime soon. He was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 entry draft. This was a draft class full of talented big men. Valanciunas was picked after Enes Kanter and Tristan Thompson, but has had far more success early on in his career. He has become an integral part of Toronto’s roster, improving his play each year. This season, he is averaging 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, showing the makings of an elite NBA centre. Valanciunas is also relevant as an example of a time when drafting European paid off. The Raptors have a long history of trying to be an “international team,” and thus drafting European prospects. This has worked to varying degrees, but JV is by far the biggest success thus far.

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3.) Morris Peterson

Peterson was the perfect Raptor for many reasons, none of which were more significant than his consistency. Peterson suited up for 418 games in a row for the Raptors, breaking the NBA record. He was the 21st pick in the 2000 draft, and has had probably the fourth most successful career among players from his draft class (after Kenyon Martin, Jamaal Magloire and Jamal Crawford). Peterson played in Toronto until July 13, 2007, when GM Bryan Colangelo decided not to re-sign him, and instead steer the Raptors into another rebuild. Peterson’s numbers were never stunning, but he was a terrific perimeter defender and a fearless shooter. His best season was in 2005/06, when he recorded 16.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game on 40% shooting from three-point land. Peterson continues to be an all-time Raptors fan-favourite for his commitment to the Franchise and to doing anything to win while he played in Toronto.

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2.) DeMar DeRozan

Last year, DeRozan made his first All-Star appearance of what should be many to come. The USC product has come into his own in Toronto, earning steadily better numbers and becoming the centrepiece of the team’s offensive strategies. DeRozan was the ninth pick in the 2009 draft, which was a particularly strong draft class, comprising players like Blake Griffin, James Harden and Steph Curry. The Raptors got to pick DeRozan after players like Hasheem Thabeet and Jonny Flynn had been taken by teams that probably feel pretty stupid right now. DeRozan seems to love Toronto and is now playing with some of his best friends (Kyle Lowry and Amir Johnson). He led the Raps with 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and four assists last season. With DeRozan, the Raptors are on a journey straight to the top of the league.

1.) Chris Bosh

Jan 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward Dorell Wright (1) during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

It seems fitting that the Raptor himself takes his rightful spot atop this list. Bosh was taken with the fourth overall pick during the stacked 2003 draft, which included LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. Though Bosh moved on to greener pastures in 2010, he should be remembered as the guy who played seven impressive seasons for the Raptors. Bosh’s best season was his last in Toronto (2009/10), in which he averaged 24 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. CB4 was the team’s engine during their rebuild(s?). He carried the Raps through hard games, and was rewarded with five All-Star appearances. I’m just thrilled the team didn’t make the mistake the Detroid Pistons did in 2003, drafting Darko Milicic (second overall).

Do you agree? Did I forget someone? Let me know.

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