Power Ranking the Toronto Raptors’ Six General Managers

3: Isiah Thomas (1995-1997)

Mar 22, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Isiah Thomas during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Zeke was a better GM than he was a part owner of the Raptors. Financial issues aside, his time as Raptors GM should be remembered fondly. Thomas picked three talented players in drafts and made a key trade that brought one of the Raptors’ best and most consistent players ever to town.

Thomas moved Victor Alexander to the New York for Doug Christie. At the time, this trade seemed somewhat unimportant, as neither player was a big deal in the league yet. Luckily for the Raptors, Christie turned into a great asset, capable of shining offensively and defensively. Christie’s best season with the Raptors was in 1997/98, when he recorded 16.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Christie provided the stability that helped the Raptors grow into a winning team by 1999 (45-37).

Thomas also drafted Damon Stoudamire (1995), Marcus Camby (1996) and Tracy McGrady (1997). All three off these players were strong picks, going on to achieve future greatness in the NBA. Stoudamire was probably the best players for the Raptors, scoring 20.2 points and 8.8 assists per game in the 1996/97 season.

There is one large mistake worth addresses for Zeke. In 1996, he selected Camby in the draft. While Camby had a great career, in the loaded 1996 draft, the Thomas failed to grab a premium star. Thomas could have drafted Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, or Ray Allen with the second-overall pick. Oh well, Camby was still good enough for the boys in purple.