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Toronto Raptors: 15 best draft picks of all-time

By Mike Bossetti

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter /
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Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 14: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket as he is guarded by Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

81. . Center. Lithuania. Jonas Valanciunas. 9. player

Taken with the fifth selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, Jonas Valanciunas has been highly productive since being drafted by the Raptors. When you consider the following three selections were Jan Vesely, Bismack Biyombo and Brandon Knight, the selection becomes even better.

Coming into the league a relatively accomplished EuroLeague player, Jonas Valanciunas produced right away. He averaged nine points and six rebounds, starting in 57 games as a rookie. Since that time he has been a consistent force in the Raptors organization, starting in every game he was fully healthy.

When selecting in the top-five, you are hoping to get a franchise cornerstone, and that is exactly what Valanciunas has been. With a league that is modernizing and forcing players like Valanciunas off the floor, rather than stubbornly sticking with his old style, JV evolved.

Last season, for the first time in his career, he added a 3-point game. Next season, he will likely shoot more. Perhaps his footwork and perimeter skills will never be good enough to make him a true fit in the modern-NBA, but he certainly is trying.

Currently, on a more than $15 million dollar contract, JV is likely overpaid for someone of his skill-set. Yet, as the unquestionable third best player on a 59-win team, it’s hard to argue JV was anything less than a home run of a draft selection.