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Toronto Raptors draft: 5 times Raps passed on a star for a bust

By Jason Mills

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: Jonas Valanciunas (R) from Utena, Lithuania greets NBA Commissioner David Stern after he was picked #5 overall by the Toronto Raptors in the first round during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: Jonas Valanciunas (R) from Utena, Lithuania greets NBA Commissioner David Stern after he was picked #5 overall by the Toronto Raptors in the first round during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Andre Iguodala of Philadelphia has a word with the official during the NBA Europe Live Tour presented by EA Sports on October 11, 2006 at the Kölnarena in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Mansoor Ahmed/Getty Images) /

1. The worst draft choice in franchise history.

Rob Babcock was hired as the Raptors general manager in early June 2004, approximately two weeks before the draft. If Babcock is the worst GM in franchise history, his first draft selection in that role for the Raptors was infinitely worse.

With the franchise needing to keep Vince Carter happy and focused, Glen Grunwald was let go as the general manager after the team missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons.

Carter wanted Dr. J, an ABA and NBA legend, to helm and right the Raptors as Grunwald’s replacement. As recounted in this GLOBEANDMAIL.COM article, Carter said of Dr. J:

"“He’s No. 1, plain and simple,”"

Instead, management chose Babcock. Then it got worse. Babcock used the 2004 draft pick, eighth overall on center Rafael Araujo. It’s been well documented that immediately after Araujo was chosen at No.8 the 76ers selected Andre Iguodala at No. 9. Iguodala is still playing, and he is a multiple-time NBA Champion (3) and a Finals MVP (2015).

In comparison, Araujo played in 111 games with 75 starts as a Raptor, never averaging more than 3.3 points per game. This is all-time bust material.

If Babcock was insistent on the team acquiring a big, Al Jefferson was available before he was selected at No. 15 by the Celtics. Players like Kevin Martin, JR Smith, Tony Allen, and Jameer Nelson were all passed on in favor of Araujo.

Whether the hiring of Babcock or the drafting of Araujo or a combination of things, it’s unknown what was the final nail in the coffin for Carter demanding a trade away from Toronto in 2004. However, these incidents only inflamed the strained relationship between management and its star player.

The truth of a draft selection is always in hindsight, as is the case in the 2016 NBA draft. Toronto selected Pascal Siakam with their second first-rounder 27 overall and wound up with one of the best players in that draft.

The Raptors just need to hope that they don’t fall victim to the same mistakes in this draft.

Next. 3 advantages Jalen Suggs has over Jalen Green. dark