Masai Ujiri Opts For Safe Option

Despite talk of the Raptors interest in trading up the draft, they stood pat and made two picks in the first round

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The 2016 NBA Draft has come and gone with the Toronto Raptors adding two rookies to their Eastern Conference runners-up roster. Jakob Poeltl, a center coming out of Utah, and New Mexico State’s power forward Pascal Siakam were selected at #9 and #27 respectively. Most reviews of Toronto’s night have labelled it a success, with both rookies expected to develop into key contributors as their careers grow. While General Manager Masai Ujiri and his front office comrades were busy making their picks, the rest of the league were involved in a trading frenzy. Serge Ibaka, Jeff Teague, George Hill and Victor Oladipo were among those who found themselves on new ball clubs after last night’s madness.

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Mar 19, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) controls the ball with Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) defending in first half action of Utah vs Gonzaga during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The opportunity must have arisen at some point for the Raptors to either move up the draft or trade their pick(s) for an already established NBA player. When the availability of Ibaka was first rumoured, it wasn’t long until Toronto’s name popped up. A package of Terrence Ross, the ninth pick in the draft and Patrick Patterson might have been enough to at least bring the Thunder to the negotiating table but when reviewing the deal between OKC and the Orlando Magic, it’s clear that the hypothetical offer above would never have been enough to bring Ibaka to the Air Canada Centre.

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A minuscule slip to 7th to the Nuggets for Jamal Murray, who was expected to be taken by the time Denver were due to name their pick, could have presented Toronto with the chance to dangle their #27 pick in order to move up and nab the Canadian point guard. Again, the #9 pick would have been the top prize in this deal for Toronto’s trade partner, however, Denver seemed overjoyed that Murray was available to them and would most likely have rebuffed the Raptors offer. A move into the top five was never in the cards when you consider that even All-Star guard Jimmy Butler wasn’t enough to entice Minnesota into parting with Zach LaVine and their lottery pick. Since Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas were unlikely to be offered up in any deal the Raptors were willing to make, there just weren’t enough assets for the front office to pull off any trade they may have wanted to make. Instead they took the safe option of sticking with what they have as we head into free agency.