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NBA Draft Preview: Christian Wood for the Toronto Raptors?

By Kevin Nimmock

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Moving towards the 2015 NBA Draft, it is worth considering some of the areas in which the Toronto Raptors need to improve. With rumours swirling that Amir Johnson will not be back next year, the Raps could end up selecting a power forward. Though Johnson’s strong contributions over the past few seasons will be hard to replace, there are a few prospects with the potential to make a splash as NBA bigs.

Christian Wood, a 6-11 PF from UNLV, is currently considered a strong choice for a mid-round pick. The Raptors have the 20th pick, so Wood is likely a serious consideration for GM Masai Ujiri. Wood is an attractive prospect with a ton of upside both offensively and defensively, but he isn’t without his detractors.

On the positive side, Wood has the athleticism and physical tools to be a quality stretch-four. His 7-3 wingspan makes him hard to cover. Plus, his quick first step and leaping ability make him a dynamic threat in a set offensive situation. He is solid as a cutter and in pick and roll situations, converting 70% of his shots from around the rim this season at UNLV.

Wood’s shooting ability is fairly well-developed for a power forward. He can space the floor with 3-pointers, hitting 24 long-bombs in 31 games this season. Though he only shot 28% from beyond the arc, NBA education should help him improve his shot selection to build on his solid touch. He also shot 73% from the charity strip, which is a good start for the sophomore.

Wood will need to continue to grow into his body, adding size and muscle, particularly in his legs. That should happen pretty quickly, and will help him out a lot on the defensive end. But, even without tremendous strength, he is a solid shot blocker and rebounder. Wood’s outstanding reach earned him 3.2 blocks per-40 minutes this season, which was seventh best in the NCAA. Plus, his speed and leaping ability helped him grab 12 rebounds per-40 minutes, which was eighth among draft prospects. It’s not all sunshine and daisies for Wood. His main problems are mental, not physical. His basketball I.Q. and general feel for the game are lacking. He can be taught, but it will take time. On defence, he often misses switches and struggles to get into position. Plus, he tens to show a lack of effort, jogging up the floor on defensive sets as his opponents sprint to the hoop.  In the post, he fails to body up, allowing opposing bigs to get easy looks around the hoop.

On offence, Wood often seems to think he is invincible, going up for rushed shots instead of looking for passes. He shows selfish tendencies, rather than looking to help his teammates succeed. His 8.5% assist percentage is one of the lowest rates among draft prospects.

Wood’s mental problems make him scary, but his natural abilities could convince Ujiri. Exposure to NBA practices will help solve many of his current issues, and it isn’t as if each mid-round pick isn’t without his share of concerns. Still, it might be preferable for the Raptors to get a player who will be more prepared to play on opening day. If the draft’s better power forwards get picked before Ujiri gets his turn, the Raptors would be smart to give Wood a chance.

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