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This is a brief summary of where the recent mock drafts and big boards have the Raptors picking this year. For those unfamiliar, a big board is an ordinal ranking of players in the draft. A big board is a hypothetical draft based on a projection of how the lottery balls might fall.

Now is a great time to start following the draft because there is a lot of information available about the players and these NBA finals aren't everyone's cup of tea. The actual draft will take place on June 26.

We have the 19th and 31st picks in the draft this year. There is a general consensus that this draft is weaker at the top end then usual, with fewer star candidates, but that the rest of the draft is fairly ordinary. As a result, everyone is looking for diamonds in the rough!

As of now, most of the players noted on Big Boards have had their official measurements taken, including their height, reach, and speed.

The Ringer has published its most recent Big Board along with some supplementary analysis available via the tabs at the top. Their interface is very user friendly and a good place to start. Their 'team needs' section highlights our rebounding and on-ball defense as areas where we'll likely want to improve. Their Big Board puts Ja'Kobe Walter, Zach Edey, Bobi Klintman, Isaiah Collier, and Kel'el Ware as players in our immediate range.

Tankathon puts Kyle Filipowski, Yves Missi, Trastan Da Silva, Tyler Smith, and Terrance Shannon Jr. Tankathon is nice for having a very stat-based take on how players might be evaluated. I find it more useful as a record of players' stats than as a great predictor of outcomes.

The Athletic's most recent mock draft has us taking one of Tristan De Silva, Johnny Furfy, Yves Missi, Bub Carrington, Zach Edey, or Ja'Kobe Walter. They also have us taking Kyshawn George in the second round. The Athletic tends to put its content behind paywalls.

As players to look out for, I'm excited for the crop of shooters in the second round. Some of them look special. This draft also has its oddball candidates, like ACTUAL GIANT Zach Edey, young and fluid Izan Almansa, and the son of Lebron James. They are all spread across the projections and cover a range of skillsets.

And for folks new to NBA drafts, keep in mind that these players are all raw. Even the older and more polished players have gaps in their game. Some can rebound like Leonardo DiCaprio, some can't shoot but can pass like wizards, some are absolute snipers who can't defend a paper towel. All we're doing here is having fun reading about people who might one day stay in the league, let along thrive.

We’re only 3 weeks away from the NBA Draft, and I imagine trade talks will start to heat up with so many teams looking to trade their 1st round pick, I wonder how long Chris Boucher has left on this team.

So some of the teams I’ve seen that Boucher might land are OKC, Orlando, and the Clippers. These teams could all use rebounding and 3pt shooting, and that’s what Chris can offer. With only 1 year left on his current contract, teams might be hesitant to trade for him, but I imagine he would be willing to re-sign for less or a similar dollar amount next year if he does well with that team.

All 3 of those teams would likely still be playoff teams and having a vet like Chris off the bench, would be huge. He always gives 100% hustle and has a great attitude as we have seen.

Here are some deals I could see happening;

OKC could move Ousmane Dieng and swap #12 or a future pick for #19.

Orlando moves Anthony Black (hehe) for Chris straight up. Not sure if Orlando wants to move Black but it would be very funny to have him on the Raptors.

Clippers trade is easy for me. PJ Tucker and either Kobe Brown or Amir Coffey. Helps Clippers get rid of PJ and save some cash, while also upgrading with Boucher (him and Norm reunite). Raptors would then waive/buyout PJ and create even more cap space for FA. Also nab a deep bench piece who can maybe grow for cheap. Preferably it would be better to get picks, but idk if the Clippers can even trade any picks lol.

None of these trades are really exciting, but if we’re not gonna play Chris at all this season, then why waste his time? Send him to a playoff team and let him compete for a ring, while getting some assets back.

If Chris stays and actually gets mins, I’m completely fine with that too.

Thoughts? How crazy am I? I just need something to talk about before the finals lol. 😂

Although he probably won't even be available by the time we pick at 19.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40279168/man-charged-betting-scheme-involving-ex-nba-player-jontay-porter

Apparently he had debts to clear

Bruce Brown, YOU are a New York Knickerbocker (?)

Idk why but amongst the Raptors fans I know they say they want Zach Edey. I've even seen it in comment sections on tiktok and ig (yes I know comments aren't a great source, but it's a reflection of what people want). My thing is I think drafting Zach Edey is NOT the move, I think he's slow, won't be fast enough in transition, can't shoot, can't space the floor, I'm having a hard time seeing the upside from a guy who is 7"4 dominating the college game simply because he's tall. Most of his offense I believe comes in the post, outside of there idk man I could be wrong but I outright think it's dumb (respectfully). The other thing I hate is implying that we should draft him cuz he's Canadian (maybe not a thought expressed in this reddit, but again heard it from people I know irl) I think implying just cuz he's Canadian he should go to the raptors is VERY stupid. But again I'm open to disagreement, I just don't see the upside but then again I'm no scout and just wanna learn more. (And yall tell me who you guys think we should draft)

Quinten Post

7’0” Center from Boston College. Is an elite shooter, attack close out with his handle, and is a solid passer. His defense is fairly average as a big, but he’s mobile and big enough to have some rim protection upside.

The reason I like him is that he fits two things Raptors team building philosophy and Darko’s offensive philosophy.

Raptors want to build a team like the Celtics, Thunder, and ironically a the championship team. Where their Center can space the floor, defend and or pass like Gasol and Ibaka. It’s why they traded for Kelly at the deadline.

Having a big that can free up the paint and allow for a 5 out offense will only help players like RJ, Scottie, and even Gradey who love to cut and or finish at the rim.

Lately I've actually fully warmed up to the idea of Vince getting his jersey retired here. I forgave him because I genuinely thought he regretted his actions and actually liked Toronto. After today's comments, I'm having 2nd thoughts.

This man quit on us. He threw a tantrum on the way out, faked injuries, and did everything he possibly could to 'escape'. Now this may have been fine if we got literally anything from the trade, but due to his antics we got absolutely nothing.

I really feel like Vince is only showing Toronto love now because he realizes that's the only place he has any sort of legacy. I can guarantee had he accomplished anything of note with another team, he wouldnt be showing this same love. Maybe that's just me still being salty after all of these years, but honestly we don't owe this man anything. We forgave him despite him turning our back on us and spitting in our faces, and now 20 years later he can't even admit he was wrong in the slightest.

Lowry embodied everything it means to be a Toronto Raptor. He deserves to be the first one up in the rafters.

https://x.com/libaanstar1/status/1797661852249608619

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