Could the Raptors draft an assistant coach’s standout son in 2022?

Nick Nurse might be regarded as the main source of coaching acumen hovering over the last few years of Toronto Raptors basketball, but Adrian Griffin has been a member of his coaching staff for the entire duration of his tenure. With the Raptors draft inching closer, could the NBA veteran’s son, Duke star AJ Griffin, be on his way to Toronto?

Even though Griffin missed most of his junior season and all of his senior season in high school, he was still regarded as a 5-star recruit that was able to earn a scholarship to Duke. Unfortunately, Griffin hasn’t been handed a ton of playing time to begin his career with the Blue Devils.

Griffin is averaging just 10.8 minutes and 4.0 points per game. His best individual game came against an overmatched Lafayette team when he scored just 18 points. With all of those qualifiers, why is Griffin still overwhelmingly considered to be a first-round draft choice?

As the Raptors have proven with the selection of Scottie Barnes, it can be worthwhile to draft a player based on their athletic skillset and potential while overlooking some of their college production. Griffin may be the next athletic project that develops into a long-term contributor for Toronto.

Toronto Raptors coach Adrian Griffin could see his son AJ Griffin get drafted.

Griffin is built like a defensive end at 6-6 and around a muscular 220 pounds. That upper body strength combined with plus athletic ability and a lethal jump shot are all traits that will get NBA evaluators excited. Offensively, he should see his numbers tick up as the season goes along.

What has really impressed pro evaluators is the fact that Griffin has incredible defensive versatility and an understanding of the game that belies his age. This is where being the son of a coach helps. Even if he isn’t given a huge volume of shots, Griffin should be able to make an impact as a sixth man.

Masai Ujiri will need to find a center and some backup point guards before next season starts, but he will always be a sucker for positionless defenders and young athletic projects. Griffin fits that mold, though Ujiri may need to see just a bit more of him at the collegiate level before he decides to select him.

Toronto had a chance to draft one of Griffin’s sons last year, but they chose to let Syracuse guard Alan Griffin go undrafted. He is currently plying his trade with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the G League., AJ, however, might be too good to pass up from an athletic point of view.

If Toronto has a pick in the teens, gambling on Griffin may come to fruition. There are too many positives to let him slip past the lottery.