National Basketball Association

Raptors advance towards rear improves draft

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:21 p.m. ET

Fansided, Brian Boake/FanSided via Raptors Rapture

The Raptors are suffering through their biggest slump since the Rudy Gay trade. It might get worse before it gets better, so we need to pay attention to the draft.

If we’re looking for a silver lining in the Toronto Raptors dreadful year of 2017 (8 wins and 11 defeats since the calendar changed), there’s only one. The team hasn’t bargained away its draft picks, and each defeat improves their draft standing. Sad, isn’t it?

As a result, I’m going to start paying more attention to the mock drafts. The Raptors have two first-rounders, their own, currently the 22nd, and that of the Los Angeles Clippers, #24.

While I don’t expect the Clippers to fall out of the Western Conference race, meaning the pick will be of dubious value, the same can’t be said about ours. The Eastern Conference standings are tighter than traffic on Bay Street at rush hour, and the Raptors are in serious danger of falling well down the table. Consider the Hawks, Pacers, and Bulls. Any or all of them could wave at the Raptors as they pass us in the standings. The Wizards already have, and the Hornets and Pistons might make things interesting.

Jan 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) stretches before the start of a game against the Orlando Magic at Air Canada Centre. The Orlando Magic won 114-113. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Until we get DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Patterson back at full strength, there’s little reason to think we’re going to stop the current slump. Face it – no one has stepped up to fill the void, and we haven’t any indication when our wounded warriors will return. They are both struggling with chronic injuries to their joints, so weeks could pass before they are judged ready to go.

Let’s get a rebounder

I remain firmly convinced that Masai Ujiri needs to draft for need, rather than blindly following the “best player available” mantra. Consequently, I will be zeroing in on interesting candidates who can play power forward and/or center. However, I won’t consider any center who can’t shoot. We don’t need another low post attacker, but if there’s a stretch-5 somewhere, he’ll get a review from me.

Can I get some help, Rapture Nation? Are you aware of a player, particularly a big man, who’s flying under the radar? We’ve been pleasantly surprised the past two seasons, as first Norman Powell, then Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, emerged as ultra-low-cost contributors. Please forward your nominees as Comments, and let’s get this party started.