Toronto Raptors Draft Preview

Its the day before the draft, and the uncertainty of the kickoff of the biggest summer in Raptors franchise history is driving hardcore Raptor fans like you and I mad with anticipation.

For weeks every one was certain Avery Bradley would be our pick at #13.

Than news made it around the NBA that Cole Aldrich may slip all the way into the mid-teens.

The mock drafts don’t know what to think, so we will not bother with them anymore.

Team needs

The Toronto Raptors’ team needs are numerous and they begin at the point guard position, some may argue they begin at the C position but Amir Johnson proved to be a more than capable starting center in the NBA. The Raptors are looking for a play-making PG and have zeroed in on a couple of potential options at #13.  Now while Amir Johnson and Andrea Bargnani are fine options, if one the top-10 players in the draft slips to the Raptors, the Raptors are going to be hard-pressed to pass one of those bigs up.  There are also a couple of wing options the Raptors are considering at #13 as they may fall into the best player available category.

Needs: C, PF, SF, PG

Final list of 7 the Raptors are considering at #13

The Raptors are considering these players, likely in this order:

1. Ekpe Udoh (GS, Det, Uta, NO, Ind)
2. Avery Bradley (Ind, Mem)
3. Cole Aldrich (Uta, NO, Ind)
4. Paul George (LAC, Mem, NO)
5. Eric Bledsoe (Ind, Mem)
6. Xavier Henry (LAC, Mem, NO
7. Patrick Patterson (Mem, NO)

Of this list of 7 names on this list all have been rumoured at destinations higher than 13 (teams with interest in parentheses), however it is improbable that all will be off the board by the time the Raptors pick. The three players most likely to already be picked are Ekpe Udoh, Cole Aldrich and Paul George.

List of players the Raptors are considering if they acquire an additional first round pick

These are the players the likely targeting if they are able to acquire an additional first round pick, likely in this order:

1. Daniel Orton
2. Hassan Whiteside
3. Eric Bledsoe
4. Devin Ebanks
5. Armon Johnson
6. Larry Sanders
7. Damion Jones

There actually less chance that we land a pick than there was at the beginning of the week. More teams have signaled their interest in acquiring additional picks and the Portland TrailBlazers may have priced the Raptors out of the market.

Trading up, Trading down:

The Raptors have made calls to trade up but nothing that made sense for the Raptors materialized.

The Raptors are not interested in moving down unless it is part of a package for another player. One rumour that briefly hit the mill yesterday via Hoopsworld was a Hedo and the #13 for Corey Brewer at the #16, but both teams reportedly denied these rumours (and we later heard the Grizzlies and T-Wolves talking a #16 for #25, #28 swap).

Why is this draft class so deep:

While not loaded with sure-fire superstars, this class is one of the deepest in recent memory. This is due to the impending lockout when the NBAPA and the Owners come to the table to work out a new CBA. Anyone and everyone is prepared for a lockout and the high amount of underclassmen who have declared this year is proof enough that the threat of a lockout and declining salaries is real.

Fans Choice:

Raptor fans have spoken and despite being quite divided with so many options at #13, over 30% of fans want the Raptors to draft Avery Bradley.

There is also a strong faction of Paul George supporters, followed by Xavier Henry supporters and than Hassan Whiteside.

It is interesting to note that Hassan Whiteside is the fans favorite big man, ahead of more polished and NBA ready prospects such as Ekpe Udoh and Cole Aldrich.

Raptors Digest Choice:

As stated here, this writer personally would like to see the Raptors draft Xavier Henry as he will arguably be the best player available when it is our time to pick at #13.  Henry is only dropping in the draft because people think he may be a bit one-dimensional due to the fact he was asked to be a spot-up shooter at Kansas.  Henry has an NBA ready frame and game and has the type of release that makes you think he may don an All-Star uniform within the next 5 years.  Henry was the #3 ranked recruit in the country by Scouts Inc.

Who will the Raptors choose:

Avery Bradley is likely the choice at this slot and will be a good fit for the Raptors despite some peoples reservations about his ability to make the switch to the point guard position. He will be able to make the transition and his naysayers will quickly fall in love with his all around game and the excitement he brings to the Toronto back court.

Avery Bradley is the name most likely to be called tomorrow night and as the #1 rated recruit by Scouts Inc. (ahead of John Wall) will be the best player available.

Raju Byfield is a Senior Sports Writer for Raptors Digest.

Raju Byfield also writes for Win My Fantasy League as a Senior Sports Writer/Fantasy Sports Analyst.