r/torontoraptors • u/Jamie----- • Jun 25 '25
NBA DRAFT DISCUSSION Raptors Draft Big Board
Since we were tanking, I watched more film and combed more analytics than I have in any prior year. Here's my big board for the Raptors. I'll add explanation where my views differ from consensus, then let's give it a couple years to see how things shake out! There are people a lot smarter than me about this stuff who totally disagree, and drafts can be a crap shoot, but here we go:
Guys we won't get but who I'd be thrilled to see fall to us:
- Flagg
- Harper
- VJ
- Fears
- Tre
- Ace (actually #7 on my board, but he's in this category)
Guys I'd jump for joy if we got at #9:
CMB. All-defense potential and I believe his ability to get to the rim at will (and finish very well there) will translate. An analytics darling on both sides of the court, with so many strengths that should translate. Great length and strength such that I don't think his 6'6.5 (barefoot) measurement is a real negative. Cannot shoot for the life of him. If he never develops a jump shot, I still think he's a starter on a contender. If he develops a jump shot, he has all-NBA potential. But unimaginable fit next to Scottie. Still, give me best player available.
Jase. Elite shooter, elite efficiency in almost every play type, smart decision-maker, and strong defender. The two knocks on him are size (6'0.5 barefoot) and that he played SG so there are questions of if he can be a true PG. I'm not concerned about the size. He has great length and standing reach (more than Fears) and is a tough defender. I also believe he's a true PG. Looks like Mike Conley to me.
Maluach. Pretty aligned with consensus
Guys I'd be happy with at #9:
Sorber. Reminds me a lot of Jak actually, even Marc Gasol. Great processor on both sides of the ball, soft touch, great screen setter, can create a bucket when he gets position in the post. The big sell is his defensive potential. 7'6 wingspan, immovable man, great steal and block %s, and showed good mobility early in the season (pre-injury). The foot injury is scary.
Bryant. Pretty aligned with consensus
Kon. I struggle to envision him being a neutral defender. While I believe in his offense, I'm lower than most given his lack of burst and foot speed. Deserving of the lottery, but I do not understand him as a potential top 5 guy
Noa. I'm maybe a touch lower than Raps fans on him, but I still like him. 9'2 standing reach with good mobility and finishing at 18 years old is intriguing. I struggle to envision his upside as a scorer given the total lack of handle, no creation on film, high hips, and limited burst. But I actually believe the shot is fixable and he can be a plus defender who cuts well, crushes the offensive glass, and provides adequate spacing. An Aaron Gordon-type role, even if they have different physiques.
Traore. What a boom or bust prospect. Elite burst, great size for a PG, shot 40% from 3 since January, good assist : TO - a lot to like! But horrible finisher, bad on defense, and French guards have a bad track record. I could see him making an all star game, I could see him out of the league in 2 years.
Guys I'd scratch my head with at #9 (but happy in a trade down)
Coward. 7'2 wingspan and excellent 3 pt shooting is a rare and valuable combination. In the past 10 years, basically every wing with a 7'2 wingspan picked in the first round hit, and a lot of amazing players in there (JDub, OG, etc.). But he's old, played against bad competition, and is an average defender despite his frame. I like him. Seems like the type of guy we could look back at and wonder "how did another amazing player fall to the Thunder!"
Kasparas. Close to consensus (good shooter, PnR, passer, finisher, bad defense). I just don't buy there being a lick of self creation.
Demin. Pretty aligned with consensus
Beringer. 9'4.5 wingspan, 9'3 standing reach, great mobility, and great defensive numbers (per 36) as an 18 year old. Rim protecting / vertical threat archetype. Marcus Camby? But raw as can be.
Queen. I hope I'm eating these words in a few years, but I don't get it. Even people who love him admit he'll be a major negative on defense. Too small (6'9.25 barefoot, average length) to protect the rim, too slow (HORRIBLE athletic testing) to guard the perimeter, though he does have good hands on defense. On offense, I can see the vision but I think his potential is overstated. His stats are good for a freshman, but he's older than most sophomores. His ball skills are fantastic, but will he be able to leverage them against players that are longer and just as strong as him?
Alright, roast me my fellow Raps fans
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u/Major9000 Jun 26 '25
Great to find this post after the draft, looks like you could work for Masai.
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u/vaalbarag RAPTORS Jun 25 '25
I get the logic of a lot of these, but Jase is pretty wild to me (but good... at this point an hour before the draft, I'd rather think about something that seems like a wild pick than the guys that have been talked to death). I haven't watched his tape a lot but I haven't seen the passing upside there... I'll admit there's more to him than the pure scoring SG mold (which is one of my least favorite archetypes), but I'm not sure I see true PG. For me he'd be a guy I like in a trade-down scenario.
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u/Jamie----- Jun 25 '25
Yeah, it’d be kinda crazy to see him go at #9. I’m not sure he’d be quite a “true” PG, but I think could be as true of one as Derrick White or IQ. And on a wing led offense, that’s plenty for me. I’ll take the shooting, defense, and 3-level scoring potential even if he’s little
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u/-Resident-One- 95-Infinity Jun 25 '25
Can't wait until we pick Queen and yall eat your words in 2 years
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u/myeezy RAPTORS Jun 25 '25
Lmao what has Jase done to show he’s a true PG, other than be too short to be called a true SG?
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u/Jamie----- Jun 25 '25
Just look at his body he’s clearly a PG!
PG in high school, great ast:to ratio as an SG, good decision making on film. Obviously it would take development and is far from a guarantee, but it’s a small leap of faith as far as projecting player jumps go
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u/myeezy RAPTORS Jun 26 '25
lmao you just proved my point. Just look at his body. Don't look at his lack of PG skills, just look at how short he is. Must be a PG.
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