• Moderators, please send me a PM if you are unable to access mod permissions. Thanks, Habsy.

OT: The Official Toronto Raptors Thread

Yes, but there's always an element of luck involved too. The same people who drafted Siakam and OG late in the 1st round picked Malachi one pick before Desmond Bane.
Sure luck is huge but good regimes identify talent and work with it

Second rounders usually get buried on benches getting splinters but Raps found playing time for Shed and others
 
Not to be that guy, because I dig both Shead and Mogbo....but neither of them have shown that they can be rotation players on a good team yet and both have significant enough holes in their game that would easily turn out fatal to their NBA careers.

Our draft and develop has been weaker than we grew accustomed to for a few years now.
 
The sale, which is not yet finalized, could reach $12 billion in value, according to one source with knowledge of the negotiations
 
Not to be that guy, because I dig both Shead and Mogbo....but neither of them have shown that they can be rotation players on a good team yet and both have significant enough holes in their game that would easily turn out fatal to their NBA careers.

Our draft and develop has been weaker than we grew accustomed to for a few years now.
They got a shot playing minutes which is more than expected , lets give it another season

At least their motor and compete is good
 
They got a shot playing minutes which is more than expected , lets give it another season

At least their motor and compete is good

I like both and think both could carve out real NBA roles on a playoff team and I'm good with them competing for minutes. I'm higher on Mogbo than I am Shead though fwiw. Some of his isolated defensive numbers are legitimately good and even if he never finds a jumper he could profile as a Draymond lite type defensive glue and secondary playmaker type guy.
 
I think re: draft. Someone is going to fall, but there might be a surprise trade too.

And jeez, look at how far Dick has fallen. He must be exhibite A on Masai losing something in the draft.

Though, he found Battle for free.
 
Draft next week, who ya got

Here's my personal board for the 9 spot, I'll only include names I've seen slip to 9 or further on at least 1-2 major mock drafts

1) Maluach: I keep seeing him drop to the 9 in mocks lately. A few weeks ago he was talked about as high as 5th. As there appears to be a possibility, he's my favourite pick here on defensive upside alone. Rudy Gobert vibes.

2A) Essengue: Mentioned him recently. Don't think the handles or bag is there for him to be a big producer in the half court, but if you're looking for a big 3&D gazelle, he's a corner 3 away from being a good one.

2B) Carter Bryant: Is Essengue too raw for your tastes? Carter Bryant has jumped up a lot of mocks over the last few weeks on strong combine measurements and workouts. Good size for a switchable wing (6'8 w 7'0 wingspan), plus athlete, already has what looks to be a NBA level spot up 3.

3) Derik Queen: Best hands in the draft, might make 8-10 GM's look really silly for passing on him. We're probably a bad spot for him though, he needs a dogshit team that will let him run the offence from the nail and get reps. I don't see where he meshes as a role player on a team trying to compete now. Someone who gives him their bench offence to run will get the best out of him.

4) Asa Newell: Still like him a bunch, just wish his physical profile was better for the role he's likely to play in the NBA. Good motor, does a lot of good things, I just don't know if a 215 pound power forward with less than a 9 foot standing reach and 7 foot wingspan is a thing unless the spot up 3 really develops.
 
Here's my personal board for the 9 spot, I'll only include names I've seen slip to 9 or further on at least 1-2 major mock drafts

1) Maluach: I keep seeing him drop to the 9 in mocks lately. A few weeks ago he was talked about as high as 5th. As there appears to be a possibility, he's my favourite pick here on defensive upside alone. Rudy Gobert vibes.

2A) Essengue: Mentioned him recently. Don't think the handles or bag is there for him to be a big producer in the half court, but if you're looking for a big 3&D gazelle, he's a corner 3 away from being a good one.

2B) Carter Bryant: Is Essengue too raw for your tastes? Carter Bryant has jumped up a lot of mocks over the last few weeks on strong combine measurements and workouts. Good size for a switchable wing (6'8 w 7'0 wingspan), plus athlete, already has what looks to be a NBA level spot up 3.

3) Derik Queen: Best hands in the draft, might make 8-10 GM's look really silly for passing on him. We're probably a bad spot for him though, he needs a dogshit team that will let him run the offence from the nail and get reps. I don't see where he meshes as a role player on a team trying to compete now. Someone who gives him their bench offence to run will get the best out of him.

4) Asa Newell: Still like him a bunch, just wish his physical profile was better for the role he's likely to play in the NBA. Good motor, does a lot of good things, I just don't know if a 215 pound power forward with less than a 9 foot standing reach and 7 foot wingspan is a thing unless the spot up 3 really develops.
I see alot of mocks with us taking Queen, Essengue and Jackikovious ( long white PG)

I also assume you either dont like Kon, or he's off the board
 
I see alot of mocks with us taking Queen, Essengue and Jackikovious ( long white PG)

I also assume you either dont like Kon, or he's off the board

I would be shocked if we take Queen, at best he profiles as a centre like Sengun that you run your offence through but the body is pretty terrible and he's old for a freshman. Sengun was finished his second season in the NBA when he was as old as Queen is now.

and yeah, I'm both not big on Kon and pretty sure he's gone before we pick. Even if he was available, I'd rather swing on someone who profiles better. Do we really need a maybe better version of Grady Dick without tunnel vision but with less fluid athleticism?
 
Here's my personal board for the 9 spot, I'll only include names I've seen slip to 9 or further on at least 1-2 major mock drafts

1) Maluach: I keep seeing him drop to the 9 in mocks lately. A few weeks ago he was talked about as high as 5th. As there appears to be a possibility, he's my favourite pick here on defensive upside alone. Rudy Gobert vibes.

2A) Essengue: Mentioned him recently. Don't think the handles or bag is there for him to be a big producer in the half court, but if you're looking for a big 3&D gazelle, he's a corner 3 away from being a good one.

2B) Carter Bryant: Is Essengue too raw for your tastes? Carter Bryant has jumped up a lot of mocks over the last few weeks on strong combine measurements and workouts. Good size for a switchable wing (6'8 w 7'0 wingspan), plus athlete, already has what looks to be a NBA level spot up 3.

3) Derik Queen: Best hands in the draft, might make 8-10 GM's look really silly for passing on him. We're probably a bad spot for him though, he needs a dogshit team that will let him run the offence from the nail and get reps. I don't see where he meshes as a role player on a team trying to compete now. Someone who gives him their bench offence to run will get the best out of him.

4) Asa Newell: Still like him a bunch, just wish his physical profile was better for the role he's likely to play in the NBA. Good motor, does a lot of good things, I just don't know if a 215 pound power forward with less than a 9 foot standing reach and 7 foot wingspan is a thing unless the spot up 3 really develops.
Maluach should be gone well before 9 but……….
 
Back
Top