Can the Raptors #TrustTheProcess with number 23?
By Thomas Fenn
The Raptors front office can’t be solely concerned with the playoffs. There’s a draft choice to be made – here’s some players of interest.
As the first round of the NBA Playoffs draw to a close the front offices of NBA are on double duty. They scramble to get details on the promising draft class of 2017. These young prospects are sought out by teams to likely be the future of these franchises and the Toronto Raptors are no exception. Masai Ujiri, the president of Raptors basketball, and GM Jeff Weltman hope to find the missing pieces they feel will get this team to the Promised Land.
The Raptors hold the 23rd pick in the 2017 NBA draft and could use it to fill some gaping holes in the rotation in due time. The draft pick could add stability and more weapons to the rotation or serve as a trade asset.
Ujiri has shown a keen interest in rookies ranging from the selection of young Brazilian Bruno Caboclo in 2014 to the acquisitions of Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam in 2016 respectively. None of these young Raptors was playing meaningful minutes by season’s end, nor were they in Coach Dwane Casey’s playoff rotation. That indicates doubt if a rookie selection might be what the team needs at this point in time.
However, analyzing potential players that fit the holes left in the Raptors current rotation could reveal what the draft has in store for the Canadian franchise. Here is a collection of three viable prospects for the Raptors with their 23rd pick.
Harry Giles is a freshmen center from Duke eligible for the 2017 NBA draft. He has shown tremendous upside as a physically imposing center with great rebounding and defensive capabilities. The Raptors center depth is thin with Serge Ibaka having to fill in for Jonas Valanciunas at key stretches. Ibaka is used in situations to guard other more mobile centers at the perimeter as seen with the Thon Maker matchup against Milwaukee in the playoffs. Giles has a 7’3 wingspan and mobility. He further has shown an offensive touch that with some help might turn into an adequate post and face up game as well.
Lithuanian basketball club Zalgiris boasts Isaiah Hartenstein who has made himself eligible for the draft. Former draft picks showed Masai Ujiri’s gravitation towards foreign talents. Isaiah’s 7’1 build and agility at the position shows glimpses of a Kristaps Porzingis type defensive presence. Hartenstein however lacks the former’s shooting touch. With the help of the Raptors developmental staff his skills would immensely develop. Hartenstein might be a diamond in the rough.
With Kyle Lowry’s free agency looming at the end of the 2016-2017 NBA season, the Raptors might have to prepare for their inevitable decline if lack of playoff success continues. An aging point guard along with DeMar DeRozan may not be the right formula . The Toronto Raptors might be better suited to look at a prospective point guard. In Oklahoma State’s Jawun Evans the Raptors would get a high scoring point guard who thrives in a pick and roll offense. Due to Serge Ibaka’s propensity to be a better than average roll man, Evans would excel if placed in the right situation. Evans has shown through his college stint that he is an able leader and floor general. With the help of the Raptors coaching staff might be able to overcome his deficiencies and be a valued point guard for years to come.
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