Who’s the draft choice for Raptors at #27?
By Brian Boake
Assuming Masai Ujiri doesn’t trade the Raptors’ #27 pick in the draft, we’ve got an interesting choice of odds-against choices to consider.
We have been concentrating on finding the Toronto Raptors best draft selection at the #9 slot. Certainly that’s the most important aspect of the June 23 draft for our team, but we shouldn’t forget we have a second selection in the first round.
More from Raptors Rapture
- Scottie Barnes talks Raptors expectations after bumpy 2022-23
- Raptors’ Dennis Schroder completes Cinderella story, wins FIBA World Cup with Germany
- 3 players Raptors could replace OG Anunoby with at trade deadline
- NBA insider praises Raptors’ hiring of “star” Darko Rajakovic
- Raptors fans will love Markquis Nowell’s insane confidence on Instagram
Our lottery pick came about as the most pleasant aspect of the Andrea Bargnani trade, whereas the Raptors “earned” the twenty-seventh choice as the anti-reward for their excellent 2015-16 season. Their 56 wins ranked fourth in the NBA, bettered by only Cleveland , San Antonio and Golden State, all of whom pick after us (OK, Cleveland’s pick goes to Phoenix).
By the time this pick rolls around, all the studs in this year’s crop will be gone. Masai Ujiri and his draft team may opt to take a flyer on an unknown player (so by definition I can’t make a prediction) or they could confine themselves to a player who might have slipped. Draft night always produces surprises, including those two or three unfortunates who expect to hear their name called early – but don’t.
We’ll start by noodling around who the respected mock drafts think the Raptors might take. I’ve been clear our team needs more size, so I’m only looking at big men. Here’s a few of interest to me:
All of these fellows are expected to be drafted in the early to late twenties. None could realistically expect to break training camp as members of the Raptors. Here’s why we had two rookies, Norman Powell and Delon Wright, on the roster in 2015-16:
- both were old by rookie standards (Norman just turned 23, Delon is 24) and more physically and mentally mature
- we were lucky
If we draft a teenage giant, whoever he is won’t be ready for the challenge of the NBA for at least 2 years, and more likely 3. But I’d rather do that than grab a swingman. There’s a lot more of those guys around to choose from, always, and we’re not in need anyway.
One of the hallmarks of great management is the ability to consider the organization’s future, both short- and long-term, simultaneously. Let’s grab a stud rookie at #9, and a project at #27.
I can’t see Maker still being around when it’s our turn. Watch for Boston to grab him with their third first-round pick, #23. Stone is too tempermental; Masai won’t chose a hothead. The Serbian kid – maybe, but I can’t sit on the fence.
Cheick Diallo, we hope to see you sporting a Raptors cap on June 23.