Toronto Raptors: The 3 most disappointing Draft Picks of all-time

1. Toronto Raptors selected Rafael Araújo at 8th overall in the 2004 NBA Draft

The worst draft of Toronto Raptors’ history has to be Rafael Araújo. In fact, it was so terrible that it actually got the general manager, Rob Babcock, fired. That’s just how bad the pick was. The Brazilian native — the second Brazilian on this list — played a whole two seasons before eventually getting traded by the new GM, Bryan Colangelo.

Most people were surprised when Rafael Araújo was selected so early, by many he was expected to go much lower in the draft. It left many analysts and Toronto fans perplexed by the decision. It even drew boos from Raptors fans. But Babcock was very much sold on Araújo as a player.

The 6 foot 11 Center — yes, another center — would struggle to find any success with the Raptors. Even though Araújo would actually start in more than half the games he played, he only averaged 12 and 11 minutes in his first and second season, respectively. He was a complete liability, not providing much of anything on the floor and only got minutes because of Babcock.

What Babcock saw in Araújo would ultimately end up costing him his job. Babcock could’ve gone a number of ways in the draft, including the player drafted right after Araújo, Andre Iguodala.

• Notable lottery picks in the draft available at 8: Andre Iguodala, Al Jefferson, Josh Smith, J.R Smith, Jameer Nelson, Tony Allen,

No eventual superstars here, but an array of players who were great starters for a long time and could’ve perhaps helped Chris Bosh accomplish something in Toronto. Rob Babcock’s career as GM only went as far as Araújo’s career with the Toronto Raptors.

• Rafael Araújo with Raptors: 111 games, 2.9 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 40% from the field

If we have learned anything here, it’s two things. One is you can be the greatest executive/general manager in the league and still make mistakes in the draft. Two is the Toronto Raptors did not have the best of luck with drafting Centers. Oh and here’s a third one for you,  the Toronto Raptors had a chance at drafting Nikola Jokić.