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6 greatest NBA Draft steals in Toronto Raptors franchise history

By Avishai Sol

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors takes part in warm ups before playing the Detroit Pistons in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 24, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors takes part in warm ups before playing the Detroit Pistons in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 24, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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Morris Peterson, Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 07: Former Toronto Raptor Morris Peterson (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

3. Morris Peterson

It’s unfortunate that Peterson played when he did. As a 6-8 sharpshooter, Mo Pete would see the league move in his favor in the decade following his retirement. Had he been drafted ten years later, we could have seen him spacing the floor for Lowry and DeRozan in the playoffs. 20 years on and Scottie Barnes would be driving and kicking to him instead of Will Barton.

Instead, Peterson was drafted in 2000, a severely underwhelming class that produced a grand total of three collective All-Star appearances (shout out to Michael Redd). Peterson fell to the 21st pick where a Raptors, desperate to replace the recently departed Tracy McGrady, scooped him up.

An older rookie, Peterson was an instant rotational piece backing up Vince Carter. Playing valuable minutes in the Raptors’ 2001 playoff run, headlined by a 17-point, 7-assist performance in a must-win game six vs. the 76ers.

Morris Peterson was solid for the Toronto Raptors.

Peterson and his penchant for crazy 3-pointers would go on to be a great player during one of the worst stretches in Raptors history; the post-Vince Carter, pre-All-Star-Chris Bosh stretch where the team wasn’t good or interesting. He ended up being a wasted talent, but a talent nonetheless. It’s not his fault he couldn’t carry the team to more wins.

Had Peterson arrived a few years earlier, he could have thrived in his prime as Vince’s wingman. A few years later, he could have rounded out those Bosh teams. Instead, Peterson becomes one of the faces of a forgettable stretch in Raptors history.  He was a great player who outperformed his draft spot by averaging 12.0 points per game with strong defense in seven seasons, but had terrible timing.

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