Toronto Raptors: Grades for the past five first round picks
Delon Wright
Another 20th overall selection, things worked out a little better for Ujiri this time. Through three seasons Wright has shown good two-way capabilities and the ability to develop into at least a fringe NBA-starter.
A productive senior drafted out of The University of Utah, in many ways Wright was the opposite of the Caboclo pick.
Already 23 by the time he was drafted, Wright’s “ceiling” was considered limited coming out of college. Well Wright is apparently hitting his head on the proverbial ceiling, producing better than many of the prospects picked ahead of him.
Last season Wright averaged 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists per 36 minutes and was perhaps the best perimeter defender on the team for most of the year.
This year, Wright is going to have the opportunity to at least compete for a starting role, even if the odds are not exactly likely. At the minimum, Wright figures to be a key piece of the Raptors rotation, earning somewhere around 20 minutes per game.
When comparing Wright vs other possible selections, it’s clear Toronto made nearly the perfect selection. There are a few comparable players who, depending on your cup of tea, might be ranked slightly higher. (Bobby Portis, Larry Nance Jr., Rondae Hollis-Jefferson)
But the only player who was drafted after Wright is definitively better is Josh Richardson, and even then, the gap is not overwhelming.
If player’s like Nikola Jokic and Clint Capela were taken after Wright, this pick wouldn’t look quite as impressive, but when you get the second best remaining player in a draft with 40 picks still on the board, it’s hard to grade this selection with anything but an A.