What Should The Raptors Do On Draft Night?

Let’s return to our consideration of Draft Night options for the Raptors.

Editor’s Note: We welcome Libaan Osman to our site as a Staff Writer. This is his first post.

Without a doubt, this is the greatest team the Raptors have ever assembled but now it’s time to get even better. Toronto holds the 9th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft and with Masai Ujiri as general manager, you must be ecstatic!

Here are some things the Raptors should consider prior to draft night:

Draft a power forward
Find a potential replacement Bismack Biyombo
Trade up to draft a shooter
Trade the pick for a star

If Masai decides to draft a forward with the ninth pick, it shouldn’t come as too much surprise to fans. The Raptors power forward slot has been a big issue since Chris Bosh’s departure to Miami. Patrick Patterson has proven that he’s more effective off the bench and when Luis Scola isn’t going FIBA on us in the first quarter dropping 10+ points, he’s no use to this team.

So which forwards look good in this draft?

Marquese Chriss
Deyonta Davis
Skal Labissiere

Marquese Chriss is a great potential draftee for the Raptors. He is a 6’10 athletic forward that can run the floor in transition very well, has a great faceup game and has shown the ability to alter shots at a high rate with 2.3 blocks per 40 minutes in his time at Washington. Chriss could be great alongside Jonas Valanciunas but his composure on the defensive end is an area he drastically needs to improve.

Jan 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Delon Wright (55) handles the ball against Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter at Air Canada Centre. Raptors beat Clippers 112 – 94. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /

Deyonta Davis is another option for Masai as he’s projected to fall between picks 8 and 13. He has showcased the ability to be effective off the pick and roll with good hands to finish around the rim. Davis not being so great in the post, should not be an issue as the Raptors aren’t in desperate need of him to score with Jonas roaming the paint. His inconsistency should be scary though.

Skal Labissiere has certainly not lived up to his expectations in Kentucky but the NBA is a whole new ball game and taking Skal with the ninth pick is a risk which could turn out to be a reward. His physical and offensive potential is very intriguing. Possessing a 7’2 wing span and 9’0 standing reach, Skal’s athleticism is through the roof. He has a great outside shot that can potentially create space for Jonas down low to do his magic.

His physical frame looks great but besides that he is a child when defending in the paint. Stars such as Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge would eat his soul if matched up. Hide your kids if that happens people.

Apr 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) drives to the basket during the fourth quarter in game five of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 102-99. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

All three players have the potential to be really effective in the NBA. With the decision in Masai’s hands, Raptors fans don’t have much to worry on who he selects with the 9th pick to fill in that gap at the four spot. Let’s just put it this way, he has a vision and we’re just living in it.

Part two of this article will be published very soon, so stay tuned!

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