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Fansided

Ranking every first-round pick in Toronto Raptors history

By Raju Byfield

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors sits in his seat during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors sits in his seat during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

DeMar DeRozan – 9th overall (2009)

With no first-round selections being added to the roster for two straight seasons, Bryan Colangelo seemed to have finally figured out drafting in the lottery. DeMar DeRozan was the no-brainer selection after he slipped past the New York Knicks and made it to ninth overall. An athletic shooting guard who garnered Kobe Bryant comparisons in high school, DeRozan was the Toronto Raptors top draft talent since Chris Bosh.

DeRozan became an instant fan favourite due to his above the rim action and gave the Raptors their most exciting prospect since Vince Carter. DeRozan became widely regarded as the greatest Toronto Raptor of all-time prior to the 2018-19 season. This was largely due to his willingness as an all-star to stay past his second contract as opposed to being an illustration of his incomparable talent. This was something that had never happened with our previous all-star level players and helped further endear him to a fanbase who had still not come all the way around on Vince Carter.

With DeRozan deemed unlikely to be there at ninth overall, there were some interesting talents the Raptors were considering including Terrance Williams, James Johnson and Earl Clark. All three players failed to live up to their immense upsides. The top talents to come off of the board after DeRozan were former all-star point guards Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague.

With Chris Bosh still on the team during his rookie season, DeRozan had a slower start to his career despite being force-fed minutes. He averaged just 8.6 points per game. He maxed out as a 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.9 rebounds on just under 47-percent shooting during the 2016-17 season. DeRozan averaged 19.7 points over his nine-year career as a Toronto Raptor.

As most may know trading the all-time fan favourite led to the Toronto Raptors acquiring one of the best players in the world in Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi helped lead the Raptors to an NBA Championship. DeRozan for his part went on to have what could be argued is the best season of his career by averaging 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists on 48-percent shooting. He operated as the team’s primary ball-handler and truly took his game to another level.

The 48.1-percent shooting was his best clip since his rookie season when he averaged under seven shots a game. The rebounds and assists are both career highs. DeRozan should see his number raised to the Raptors rafters when all is said and done. DeRozan would be higher on this list if it were not for the fact that he was a no-brainer selection, and is and was never as talented as the two Hall of Fame names on this list were.