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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 – Marcus Camby. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Marcus Camby – 2nd overall (1996)

The Toronto Raptors won the draft lottery in 1996 but were unable to claim first overall due to an agreement the Raptors made with the NBA upon receiving an expansion franchise. That meant the Toronto Raptors were unable to acquire the services of the consensus number one overall pick and one of the NBA’s greatest scorers of all-time in Allen Iverson.

Camby had a stellar NBA career even if it was marred by incessant injuries. He was a four-time All-NBA Defensive team selection, won four block titles, and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2006-07 at age 32. He would play in the league for 18 years but saw over 70 games just three times.

As a member of the Toronto Raptors Camby averaged 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.9 blocks on just under 45-percent shooting. He started 96 of his 126 games as a member of the Toronto Raptors. His 2.9 blocks per game average as a Toronto Raptor stands to this day and is likely the one team record that will never be broken.

Marcus Camby would eventually be traded for Charles Oakley, Sean Marks, cash and a second-round pick. The NY Times suggested the move could have been at least partially financially motivated. The Raptors were said to be fearful of their prospects of retaining Marcus Camby when he hit free agency the following year.

As a member of the New York Knicks Camby averaged 9.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks on 49-percent shooting in 26.6 minutes per game. He started only 107 of the 221 games he played with them due to the presence of players like Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson.

Camby would go on to truly shine as a member of the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 10.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 3.0 blocks per game on just over 46-percent shooting in 31.7 minutes per game. He started 350 of his 372 games with the Nuggets.

The best season of his career came as a Nugget when he averaged 12.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 3.3 blocks on over 46-percent shooting during the 2005-06 season. Camby would spend time with the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Houston Rockets before retiring as a member of the New York Knicks in 2012-13.

The 1996 draft was a loaded one, but those old enough to remember will recall that Marcus Camby was the correct pick at the time. Camby was a dominant big at both ends of the court, and bigs were viewed with a much bigger premium in the Shaquille O’Neal era.

Significant players the Raptors passed on include Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Jermaine O’Neal, Steve Nash, and Stephon Marbury. Players like Antoine Walker, Peja Stojakovic, Kerry Kittles, Derek Fisher, and Jerome ‘JYD’ Williams were also in this draft but were not prospects that a team would consider as high as number two overall.

Marcus Camby was one of the best Raptors draft picks of all-time talent-wise, but the names that went after him keep him lower on this ranking than he would otherwise find himself.