Raptors have #9 & #27 picks – what does draft history tell us?
By Brian Boake
With two first-round selections in this year’s NBA draft, the Raptors have a wonderful opportunity to find top talent.
Assuming the Toronto Raptors keep their #9 pick in the June 23 NBA draft, they should be able to grab a serious talent. I say “should” because nothing is guaranteed in the draft. Who was the first overall selection in 2013? Anthony Bennett. 2007? Greg Oden.
That splash of cold water aside, let’s take a look at some of the best of those selected with the #9 pick.
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The Raptors have had this pick twice in their history, and the results are most encouraging. In 2009, Bryan Colangelo chose DeMar DeRozan, and in 1997, Isiah Thomas tapped Tracy McGrady. The year after TMac came to Toronto, the Milwaukee Bucks used the #9 pick on a European whom they promptly traded to the Dallas Mavericks. That Euro’s name? Dirk Nowitzki. The German giant is still draining impossible shots after 18 seasons, and will be an easy choice for the Hall of Fame.
Other difference-makers chosen #9 include Pistons centre Andre Drummond, Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward, and Warriors “wherever you want me, coach” Andre Iguodala.
Inevitably there have been flops. Patrick O’Bryant (2007) was briefly and unmemorably a Raptor, Ed O’Bannon (1995) didn’t last long in the NBA, nor did Mike Sweetney (2003).
We’ve already taken a look at a few possibilities at # 9 [Ellenson, Labissiere] and we’re not done yet.
Since we’re on the topic, let’s turn our attention to the #27 slot. Guess whose name jumps out? DeMarre Carroll, now the highest paid Raptor, selected in 2009 out of Missouri by Memphis. Frenchman Rudy Gobert (2013) has become a defensive (“Stifle”) Tower of strength in Utah. Arron Afflalo (2007) has been a useful journeyman.
Otherwise it’s slim pickins, friends, unless you’re a big fan of such as Chris Jeffereries (2002) and Brian Evans (1996). For my money, if Thon Maker is still around, I’d grab him. He’s perhaps the most intriguing player of this year’s draft; sadly he may be “two years away from being two years away”.
You can’t teach height, and if we’re taking a flyer anyway, let’s grab a big man. We’re not short of guards or swingmen, either with the minor- or the major-league team. Rim protectors are frequently hard to come by.
There are two wanna-be centres on the Raptors 905 roster, Sim Bhullar and Keanau Post. I’d be shocked if we saw either of them step on the Air Canada Centre floor in the 2016-17 season, even in mop-up roles. The need for more size in the organization is undeniable.
I’ve toyed with several ideas for moving up in the draft, but let’s not kid ourselves. The odds of making any deal in the NBA are microscopic, so we might as well get comfortable with the likelihood that these are our picks.