GUEST POST by Harun Said: Power Forward prospects for Raptors in NBA Draft 2015

What does the draft mean for the Toronto Raptors? GM Masai Ujiri is tight lipped by nature. He surprised the basketball world by draft virtually unknown Brazilian forward Bruno Caboclo last year. No one knows what Masai is going to do come draft night, June 25. This article will zero in on some Power Forward prospects that I think will be on Masai/The Raptors draft board.

Montrezl Harrell| University of Louisville

Brice Johnson | University of North Carolina

Cliff Alexander | University of Kansas

Montrezl Harrell – Montrezl makes up for being undersized (6’8”) with tremendous length (a wingspan of seven feet and four inches) and some out of this world athleticism. Montrezl doesn’t stop working to get those 50/50 balls. He’s a face up four, with little to no back to the basket game. He needs to start polishing his play rather than relying only on his athleticism. Averages  PPG 15.7 |RBG  9.2 |APG 1.3

Brice Johnson – One of those players who always seem to be at the right place at the right time.  At six feet nine inches and a wingspan of six feet and eleven inches Brice isn’t that big. He makes up for the lack of wingspan with tremendous athleticism. Brice has good hands, can rebound, can score. Brice has some downfalls. His motor and toughness are the biggest questions, and scouts also wonder if he can handle NBA PF’s. Will he always run the floor? I’m not so sure. Averages   PPG 12.9|RPG 7.8 |APG 0.9

Mar 26, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) dunks to score a basket against Wisconsin Badgers during the first half in the semifinals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Cliff Alexander – Cliff is six feet eight inches with a seven feet two inch wingspan. At 250 pounds Cliff has a NBA ready body. Before the season started Cliff was regarded as a lottery pick. His stock has since dropped due to the lack of offensive game. His mother is being investigated by the NCAA which has sidelined him the whole March Madness tournament. He is a great rebounder and can get to the ball. He is what I call a Super Athlete, which helps him on defense, and has the potential to become a premiere shot blocker and defensive anchor. Cliff is a great prospect but his lack of offensive game will hold him back.  Averages PPG 7.1|RPG 5.3|APG 0.4

Intriguing Prospect

Caris LeVert | University of Michigan

Caris LeVert – LeVert is a lottery talent who is going to see a drop in stock due to a left foot injury that will sidelined him this whole NCAA season. Lavert is six feet seven inches with long arms. LeVert could be a perfect Ross replacement. LeVert unlike Ross can play 3 position (PG,SG,SF).He is also very comfortable with the ball, can make plays for teammates. Great in transition with or without the ball. NBADraft.net said “Difficult to guard due to his quick release and ability to put the ball on the floor … Very comfortable with the ball in his hands and has shown the ability to run the offense for spurts of time”. LeVert only weakness is his weight/strength. He is lacking in size, weighing just 200 pounds. Averages PPG 14.9|RPG 4.9|APG 3.7

How do you feel about the players I have written about?  Do you have any players in mind that I should look into? Please comment.

nba draft 2015