Paul Reed could be a steal for the Toronto Raptors in this year’s draft

How Reed Fits with the Toronto Raptors

Assuming the Raptors stay in the current position, they will be selecting no. 29 overall on draft night. If the Raptors are sold on Reed as a prospect, then they might as well pull the trigger and select him at that time.

However, given Reed’s position on mock draft boards, the Raptors may be hesitant to use a first-round pick on him, especially if it looks like they can get him in the second round. With that being said, it is unlikely Reed will still be around at 59. As such, the Raptors may want to explore buying another second-round pick.

The Golden State Warriors have been aggressive in recent years buying second-round picks in search of cheap rotation players.

In 2016, Warriors paid $2.4 million to the Milwaukee Bucks in order to select Patrick McCaw at 38. The price went up the following year when the Warriors paid $3.5 million to the Chicago Bulls for the same pick in order to draft Jordan Bell. Meanwhile, last season the Warriors bought the no. 41 pick from the Atlanta Hawks for $1.3 million in order to take Eric Paschall.

The Raptors could use a similar strategy this year. For the 2019-20 season teams are permitted to send out up to $5.6 million in a trade. The Raptors still have that full amount available, which they could use to acquire another second-round pick.

The Philadelphia 76ers could have as many as four second-round picks. The Sacramento Kings might end up with three of their own. At the right price, the Raptors should be able to secure a pick high enough to take Reed.

Meanwhile, Reed it the exact type of player that the Toronto Raptors targeted in the past. He is an undervalued, late bloomer. Reed is still growing into his body. Despite being 21, Reed has improved every year at DePaul. He is not a finished product and still has room to develop further as a basketball player.

With uncertainty surrounding the future of Gasol, Ibaka, and even Chris Boucher, the Raptors could use to add some depth in the frontcourt. Gasol and Ibaka are also both on the wrong side of 30. It wouldn’t hurt to add another young forward capable of playing multiple positions.

Reed could view Siakam as a role model of sorts. Siakam put up similar numbers during his final year of college. He averaged 20.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and one steal per game. Siakam was 22 at the time he was drafted and viewed as a fringe first-round prospect.

As it turns out, Siakam who had only been playing organized basketball for a few years was just scratching the surface of the player he could become. He has gone from an energy big off the bench to an All-Star.

That is not to say, that Reed would be able to follow the same trajectory and become the next Siakam. But the raw tools are there. Reed has the same size, length and agility. He is a better shooter and ball handler than Siakam was at this point in this career. Reed also thrives in transition.

The Toronto Raptors score more points in transition (27.8) than any other team in the Association. Reed has a long way to go before he is capable of being a featured player in an NBA offense. But he brings a lot of positive things to the court and should be able to contribute next season. He will run the floor, get easy baskets, and create some highlight-reel dunks.

Energy should not be considered an NBA skill, but it is. There are a number of players that take possessions off. They don’t always try hard, especially on the defensive end. Reed is not one of those players. His work ethic will endear him to Nick Nurse.

Reed is a high energy defensive player that would fit in with the mentality of the Raptors’ bench. His more natural position is as a forward. But Reed should be able to play alongside Siakam and Anunoby in the frontcourt as a small-ball 5. That would give the Toronto Raptors three extremely long and athletic players, capable of switching and wreaking havoc on defense.

Even if he doesn’t develop any further, Reed should still have a long career as a role player off the bench. But if he can improve his shooting and tighten up his handle the same way Siakam did, Reed is capable of becoming a very special player.