With the 13th selection in the NBA draft the Toronto Raptors select: Eric Bledsoe?

This is the latest chatter around the NBA, at least according to ESPN Insider Chad Ford.

He reports that the Raptors are heavily leaning towards a point guard with the 13th pick, which is in line with what we have been hearing. He also goes onto say however:

“For teams looking for a point guard, the debate is really between Bradley and Bledsoe. Both players are freshmen and didn’t have huge years. Bradley is a superior scorer and has good size for the position. Bledsoe is more of a true point guard and sees the floor better.

Both players are considered raw and unproven, but both have tremendous athletic ability and upside. Both have been working out against each other in virtually every city before Bradley injured his ankle in Oklahoma City.

The real question for both players will come down to one spot in the lottery — the Raptors at 13. While I’ve been hearing for weeks now that Bradley has the edge on Bledsoe, I had a trusted source tell me over the weekend that it may be Bledsoe who gets the nod in Toronto.”

Chad Ford makes some valid arguments in stating that while both have tremendous upside Bledsoe is more of a true point and will undoubtedly be able to make the transition in the NBA, while whether or not Bradley will be able to do the same has become a raging topic in Raptor Land.

If Hedo and the Raptors kiss and makeup than Bradley would be the ideal fit for the Toronto Raptors as he is a better scorer and has tremendous defense especially if guarding 1′s as opposed to 2′s. However Bledsoe may be the safer pick as he is more of a true point guard and will not ideally need someone like Hedo to share some of the ball-handling duties.

My problem with Bledsoe at #13 is that you could probably get Bledsoe at 16-25 so he may be a bit of a reach in draft position value. If we could trade back and add an additional pick while we were at it, that would be an ideal scenario for the Raptors, but we have no information supporting the thought that anything like that is in the works right now.

Avery Bradley was the #1 overall recruit in the country, but this was as a shooting guard and the questions persist as to whether or not he will be able to make the transition to the point guard position. He will, especially with a willing teacher like Jarrett Jack, but like stated above that is a hot topic in Toronto.

Bradley has more potential and has higher upside, but Bledsoe has the makings of a top-10 to top-12 NBA point guard.

Both guards play good defense but Bradley is a lock-down defender, a defensive pest that would make Gary Payton smile.

Bradley making the transition from the shooting guard position will likely be a shoot-first point guard, though that can be unlearned by playing with superior players.  Bledsoe is a pass-first true point guard and who besides being a leader on the floor is a tough competitor that isn’t afraid to mix it up with his opponents.

Both player would make fine additions to the Raptors, but don’t be surprised, or upset, if we call Eric Bledsoe’s name at #13 instead of Avery Bradley’s.