The Toronto Raptors have had a few near-misses in their NBA Draft history, and Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George just added yet another one to the list on his podcast.
On one of the latest episodes of his “Podcast P” show, George reveals that the Raptors were looking to select him with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. George was ultimately drafted earlier at No. 10 overall, just ahead of the Raptors, by the Indiana Pacers.
In 2010, the Toronto Raptors had just finished a 40-42 season with their promising rookie DeMar DeRozan. As a result of the losing season, the Raptors were gifted the 13th pick in the lottery, which George claims they “promised” to use on him. Instead, Ed Davis came to town. He’s a solid player, but nowhere near this.
“When I was going through the draft I got a promise from the Toronto Raptors that they would draft me with the 13th pick”
— NBA District (@TheNBADistrict) May 22, 2023
- Paul George on his draft day pic.twitter.com/o0QAlGuVHs
Paul George could have been a Toronto Raptors star.
In two seasons at Fresno State, George averaged 15.5 points and was a lights-out shooter, hitting 40% from outside as a 6-8 wing. There is no doubt he would go in the top 10 of that draft class, but the opportunity to have the eventual All-Rookie in Toronto would have been special.
George will likely go down as one of the greatest two-way players to ever set foot on the hardwood. In his 12-year career, George has been crowned a steal champion, 6x All-NBA, and 4x All-Defensive selection. His early years in Indiana were some of the most entertaining of his career, and he was three picks away from being in Toronto.
George, who is a big fan of the Raptors’ organization, would have been lined up next to DeRozan, who became one of the best mid-range shooters of all time. He also would have been a part of Toronto’s famous “We the North” era. After adding his defensive prowess and scoring to the mix, who knows what Toronto would have looked like with George in the starting lineup?
The Raptors ended up using that No. 13 pick selection to draft Davis, a 6-9 center from North Carolina. Davis, who stuck around for quite some time as a backup big man that could rebound and defense, played a few underwhelming seasons for the Raptors before being dealt for Rudy Gay.
Some things happen according to fate, and although Toronto was three picks shy of drafting George, Davis’ trade eventually helped Norman Powell and OG Anunoby come to town. They contributed to years of playoff success and a championship. George may have been an exciting pick, but the long game worked out for Toronto.