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Toronto Raptors: Drafting Tyler Bey in the 2020 NBA Draft

By Jason Mills

BOULDER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 04: Tyler Bey #1 of the Colorado Buffaloes shoots a free throw during the second half in a game between the Loyola Marymount Lions and the Colorado Buffaloes at Coors Events Center on December 04, 2019 in Boulder, Colorado. The Buffaloes defeated the Lions 76-64. 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. (Photo by Lizzy Barrett/Getty Images)
BOULDER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 04: Tyler Bey #1 of the Colorado Buffaloes shoots a free throw during the second half in a game between the Loyola Marymount Lions and the Colorado Buffaloes at Coors Events Center on December 04, 2019 in Boulder, Colorado. The Buffaloes defeated the Lions 76-64. 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. (Photo by Lizzy Barrett/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors will select 29th at the 2020 NBA Draft on November 18th. It’s uncertain they will keep the pick, trade up, down, or out of the draft entirely.

The Toronto Raptors are a contending team, and the 2020 NBA Draft is filled with rotational or role player type talent. There is a possibility the Toronto Raptors could trade their selection at 29th overall in a package to acquire a veteran player who can help them win now.

They may keep the pick and select a player using their G-League affiliate, the Raptors 905, to aid in developing the new player. It’s a method the Toronto Raptors have had success with many core members of their team like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and other players.

The Toronto Raptors have several needs that a draft pick could fill. Some of the needs include at least a cost-effective backup center as both Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka are free agents. Free agency uncertainty surrounding Fred VanVleet and the legal trouble involving shooting guard Terence Davis make acquiring a guard a priority as well.

If the Toronto Raptors’ management decides a guard is the need to fill with this draft pick, Tyler Bey of the University of Colorado is a likely choice. He has spent three years in college and is a six-foot-seven inch shooting guard/small forward with a seven-foot-one and quarter-inch wingspan. He also has a great leaping ability with a vertical of 43.5 inches.

How Tyler Bey can help the Toronto Raptors – his strengths

Should the Toronto Raptors select Tyler Bey with the 29th pick at the 2020 Draft, they would be getting a more polished prospect than most as he has spent three years at the University of Colorado. Tyler Bey shows some good vision passing the basketball and can score in a variety of ways.

At the NBA combine, he recorded a maximum vertical leap of 43.5 inches and shows a good ability to finish above the rim on drives and attacks to the basket.

In 2020, Tyler Bey shot 41.9 percent on 13/31 three-point shooting. If consistent with his long-range shooting, Tyler Bey will fit well into the Toronto Raptors offensive system. He runs the floor really well in transition or on the fastbreak. The Toronto Raptors were top of the league in fast-break points in 2020.

Tyler Bey also has the ability to post up smaller guards taking advantage of his height at six-foot-seven. Defensively, Tyler Bey can guard, at least initially, positions 1-3 because of his height and quickness. He is also a bit of a rim protector averaging a blocked shot per game throughout his collegiate career.

What Tyler Bey must improve to help the Toronto Raptors- his weaknesses

The Toronto Raptors put a strong emphasis on defensive versatility and toughness.  If they select Tyler Bey, he will need to work on this aspect of his game. Right now, he can likely guard positions 1-3 but will struggle if matched against a power forward or center. At six-foot-seven and only 218 pounds, Tyler Bey must gain weight and muscle to contain bigger and stronger opponents.

While Bey excels offensively in the post, he struggles when defending in that area of the court. His strength and size need to be better to hold his position defensively. Tyler Bey has a 1:1.9 assist to turnover ratio. This has to improve. When watching him play, he tends to make careless choices with the ball, so his decision-making process has to improve.

Finally, Tyler Bey averaged 13.2 points per game in 2019 and 13.6 points per game in 2020. It could be a sign he has hit his offensive ceiling, or it could be that he was simply a victim of his team’s offensive system. He had an average of 8.5 field goal attempts in 2020

How Tyler Bey fits with the Toronto Raptors

Tyler Bey would fit the Toronto Raptors style of basketball well. There are clear aspects of his game that need improvement. However, shooting the three and defending three perimeter positions makes him a valuable asset the Toronto Raptors and head coach Nick Nurse could rely upon.

Terence Davis’ legal troubles may open up a roster spot the Toronto Raptors were not necessarily expecting to need to fill. With Matt Thomas still needing to prove he can be consistent and play significant minutes as a backup guard Tyler Bey could become a rotational player for the Toronto Raptors as a rookie.

Tyler Bey would also have a big impact defensively for the Toronto Raptors with his shot-blocking and wingspan. In both positive and negative ways, he reminds one of OG Anunoby. OG Anunoby is a player that will become an NBA all-defensive star but leaves you dissatisfied that he wasn’t more dominant offensively.

There is time for OG Anunoby to put to all together offensively. Tyler Bey would be around a championship-caliber team to help him develop into the best player he can be should the Toronto Raptors select him at 29 in the 2020 NBA Draft.