Best/Worst Draft Scenarios
(#20 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Shipping the pick to Denver for PF Kenneth Faried
The Raptors need big men, that much is clear even before three of their key frontcourt pieces hit free agency this offseason. Taking a guy like Harrell (who projects to be like Faried but will need a few years to get there) only solves this problem somewhat, and so does Portis even if he falls to them, as the Raptors want more immediate impact as a playoff team. Enter Faried, a high-energy big man who can grab rebounds in bunches. This is exactly what the Raptors need, considering that most of their offense comes from their star guard duo of PG Kyle Lowry and SG/SF DeMar DeRozan with a ton of depth behind them both. Faried’s insane motor offsets his lack of size and helps him to be a fantastic defender, which can allow promising young C Jonas Valanciunas more opportunity to grow offensively while still forming a formidable defensive and rebounding duo while Lowry and DeRozan light up the scoreboards. This makes Faried a perfect fit in Toronto. The Nuggets would be all over this trade idea as they look to ship off their veterans in order to stockpile more future assets in an effort to hand the reins of their franchise over to their young core. Though there might need to be a sweetener (SG Terrence Ross?) to get Denver to pull the trigger, this deal makes a ton of sense for both sides and is a much better use of their pick than drafting a player for the Raptors.
Worst Case Scenario: Settling for PF/C Christian Wood
Not finding a trade partner is already a tiny bit bad, but having the wrong guys fall to them is even worse. The Raptors need a big man that can contribute, and in the unlikely event that Portis and Harrell are gone by #20, that itch will remain unscratched (at least until free agency). The only option at that point would be UNLV’s PF/C Christian Wood. You could consider him a steal this late in the draft, but only if you’re a team that has time to wait for a prospect to develop and does NOT have star SG DeMar DeRozan hitting free agency last year. Rats, that doesn’t apply for Toronto. Wood is an excellent rebounder and defender, averaging 10.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, albeit against weaker competition than most of these prospects. However, despite being very athletic and averaging 15.7 points per game as well, he still needs to add a lot of muscle and strength. That doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does the playing style adjustments that go with it. Therefore, Wood could be an excellent player long-term, but in terms of a playoff team that needs to win now to please DeRozan, would not be the best choice.
(#20 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Shipping the pick to Denver for PF Kenneth Faried
The Raptors need big men, that much is clear even before three of their key frontcourt pieces hit free agency this offseason. Taking a guy like Harrell (who projects to be like Faried but will need a few years to get there) only solves this problem somewhat, and so does Portis even if he falls to them, as the Raptors want more immediate impact as a playoff team. Enter Faried, a high-energy big man who can grab rebounds in bunches. This is exactly what the Raptors need, considering that most of their offense comes from their star guard duo of PG Kyle Lowry and SG/SF DeMar DeRozan with a ton of depth behind them both. Faried’s insane motor offsets his lack of size and helps him to be a fantastic defender, which can allow promising young C Jonas Valanciunas more opportunity to grow offensively while still forming a formidable defensive and rebounding duo while Lowry and DeRozan light up the scoreboards. This makes Faried a perfect fit in Toronto. The Nuggets would be all over this trade idea as they look to ship off their veterans in order to stockpile more future assets in an effort to hand the reins of their franchise over to their young core. Though there might need to be a sweetener (SG Terrence Ross?) to get Denver to pull the trigger, this deal makes a ton of sense for both sides and is a much better use of their pick than drafting a player for the Raptors.
Worst Case Scenario: Settling for PF/C Christian Wood
Not finding a trade partner is already a tiny bit bad, but having the wrong guys fall to them is even worse. The Raptors need a big man that can contribute, and in the unlikely event that Portis and Harrell are gone by #20, that itch will remain unscratched (at least until free agency). The only option at that point would be UNLV’s PF/C Christian Wood. You could consider him a steal this late in the draft, but only if you’re a team that has time to wait for a prospect to develop and does NOT have star SG DeMar DeRozan hitting free agency last year. Rats, that doesn’t apply for Toronto. Wood is an excellent rebounder and defender, averaging 10.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, albeit against weaker competition than most of these prospects. However, despite being very athletic and averaging 15.7 points per game as well, he still needs to add a lot of muscle and strength. That doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does the playing style adjustments that go with it. Therefore, Wood could be an excellent player long-term, but in terms of a playoff team that needs to win now to please DeRozan, would not be the best choice.