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The Toronto Raptors should look to trade up in the draft to select Isaac Okoro

By Mark Birdsell

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 29: Isaac Okoro #23 of the Auburn Tigers is seen during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 29, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 29: Isaac Okoro #23 of the Auburn Tigers is seen during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 29, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
AUBURN, ALABAMA – FEBRUARY 12: Isaac Okoro #23 of the Auburn Tigers reacts in the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Arena on February 12, 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

NBA Draft: What is the asking price for a late lottery pick?

There is no way that Okoro falls all the way to the end of the first round in order for the Raptors to take him. If Ujiri and Bobby Webster have any interest in drafting Okoro, they will have to trade up to do so.

There are a few teams at the top of the draft rumored to be open to moving their pick. Both the Detroit Pistons (7) and Phoenix Suns (10) are said to be looking to add a veteran presence in order to help compete for a playoff spot next season.

The Pistons still have Blake Griffin under contract for two more years. They have Derrick Rose coming back. Plus the team will look to re-sign Christian Wood. If the Pistons can add one or two more win-now pieces, they could make a push for one of the final playoff spots in the East.

Troy Weaver, the Pistons’ new general manager, rejected the idea of a rebuild. Dwane Casey has also said that the Pistons will “compete to win” in 2020-21. As such, adding another veteran player instead of a rookie would be a step in the right direction.

The Suns are in a similar position. After going 8-0 during their seeding games in the bubble at Disney World, the Suns are ready to take the next step.

The team already has a nice young core to build around. Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Kelly Oubre Jr. are all 24 or younger. Last season, the Suns saw how adding a player like Ricky Rubio helped both on and off the court. Adding another veteran with playoff experience should help Phoenix’s young players take that next step.

There have been a few trades over the last number of years that give you an idea as to what the asking price would be for a late lottery pick.

The Suns acquired Bridges (taken no. 10 overall) in a draft-night trade back in 2018 in exchange for the rights to Zhaire Smith (taken no. 16) and a future first-round pick.

The year before, the Sacramento Kings selected Zach Collins no. 10 overall and immediately traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers for the rights to Justin Jackson (no. 15) and Harry Giles (no. 20).

In 2016, the Kings made another draft-night deal. The Kings drafted Marquese Chriss at no. 8 and then traded him to the Suns in exchange for the draft rights to Georgios Papagiannis (selected no. 13) and Skal Labissiere (selected no. 28), and the rights to Bogdan Bogdanovic, who was still playing overseas at the time.

Also in 2016, Taurean Prince was drafted no. 12 by the Utah Jazz. His rights were later traded to Atlanta as part of a three-team deal with the Jazz receiving George Hill from the Indiana Pacers and the Pacers receiving Jeff Teague from the Hawks.

What all this shows you is that securing a late lottery pick requires some combination of young rotation players and draft picks.