Thursday May 21 2009 - 6:15pm Eastern (Toronto, ON)
Waaaay late checking in today. But, hey, aren’t blogs supposed to be random anyway? It’s not like I’m expected to have things posted for the “first edition” … like a newspaper or something!
So as we all know by know, the Raptors didn’t move up in Tuesday night’s Draft Lottery. They went into the night with the best shot of landing pick #9 and that’s exactly how it unfolded.
And who might the Raptors be eyeing with that 9th selection?
Let’s take a look at some of the prospects (knowing full-well that a TON can change in a month … so this list can (and likely will) change as June 25 approaches and the Raps have had guys in Toronto for pre-draft workouts, etc.
In no particular, here are a handful of candidates; my “9 at 9″ …
Earl Clark (Louisville)
- Athletic … Can shoot the 3 … Versatile / can play multiple positions … Decent shot-blocker
- Will he take contact?
Gerald Henderson (Duke)
- Very athletic … Smart player from a “smart program” … Solid defender
- Average 3PT shooter
Stephen Curry (Davidson)
- Great basketball IQ … Good passer (PG possibilities) … Outstanding shooter who can fill it up
- Small / slim
Tyreke Evans (Memphis)
- Always looking to score / get to the hoop … Speedy and aggressive … Good rebounder for a SG
- Not a great 3PT shooter
DeMar DeRozan (USC)
- High energy … Good scorer (on the drive or with the jumper) … Big 6′7 frame for the SF slot
- Not a great defender
Jrue Holliday (UCLA)
- Good defender … Quick and aggressive on offence … Solid passer
- Not really a 1 or a 2 (”tweener”)
Brandon Jennings (Lottomatica Roma)
- Good decision-maker … Athletic for a 6′1″ PG … Quick on both ends - in all directions
- Undersized (height and muscle)
James Harden (Arizona State)
- Strong player who won’t shy away from contact … Fantastic scorer
- All-but certain to be gone by #9 though
Terrence Williams (Louisville)
- Good defender … Tough and physical … Can rebound well … Athletic
- Is he the “SCORER” the Raps truly need?
Again, there’s still more than a month to go ’til the Draft, but if it were up to me right now I’d really be zoning in on DeRozan, Evans, and maybe Williams (knowing that Harden is likely gone by 9 (but hoping he’s not)).
It’ll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
E. Smith
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Eric - I was just wondering how did you go about collecting these data/information on the players? Did you get a chance to see them play in person? Did you just go by what the other mock drafts are saying about these players? Or since you are an insider, did you get the information from your sources, not counting YouTube? Thanks for letting us average fans know - keep up the good work.
- Joe N.About Harden. I watched him play all year and i just love his game.
Eric do you think that the Raptors might try to trade up to get him? He looks like he would be a nice fit in Toronto.
- LukaHey Joe
I saw none of the players LIVE — pretty-much impossible with the NBA / travel sked I have with the Raps
But good question.
The info is compiled from a combination of about 4 or 5 things …
- Talking to coaches and scouts (off the record)
- E. Smith- Talking to pro and college sources
- Checking scouting reports on players via draft websites and team (college) websites
- Talking to other members of the media (pro and/or college) that have seen some of these guys up close
I agree that he looks like he’d be a good fit Luka. Trading up? … sure … I think that’s a possibility. As I’ve said a lot since mid-season / end of the season as well … I expect Toronto to be very active this summer. They need to be.
- E. SmithHey Eric, Nice list…So if you were picking who would you pick out of that list that would suit the Raps need best? you noted Harden is gone by 9 so aside from him! I’m pretty sure teams 4-8 would like him to?
- Lanny from WhitbyNot sure I agree with you Eric, but I do believe this teams needs significant personnel changes.
With Bosh, Jose and Calderon locked up, and only about $10 million or so free this season (I think that’s what’s available), how active can Colangelo be?
Unless one of the big three is moved (which seems unlikely), and a FA is signed (let’s hope it’s not Marion), what other changes can be made?
The Raps have so little beyond the above mentioned three to deal…so a considerable trade seems so unlikely.
Kapono? Humphries? Ukic?
There’s no trade value in these guys. Our trade value lies in the B, B & C.
Do you think there’s a chance any of the three will be traded this offseason?
I’d be shocked.
- brentohey eric don’t you think Gerald Henderson is a better player than DeRozan, Evans, or Williams. how came you have this guys ahead of Gerald Henderson?
- jcI’d be fine with Henderon JC … but I’m not convinced that he’s the kind of offensive player at the 2/3 this team needs. He’s a solid player though - and I’d be fine with him being in a Raps uniform
- E. SmithUnconfirmed rumor Raps could trade Bosh and their #9 pick to Clippers for #1 pick.. Griffin .
- Chas CalzWell written. Good breakdown of raptors options. Much appreciated and I look forward to more blogs like this.
- enoughSome sites say DeJuan Blair might be an option for us at #9, like ESPN and DraftExpress. Do you think he is a reasonable option at #9?
- bUnconfirmed by who? From where?
I haven’t heard that “rumor” annnnywhere and would highly, HIGHLY doubt it.
- E. SmithB - Yeah, Blair could be an option but while I’m totally down with drafting the BEST PLAYER (no matter what position he plays), Toronto has such a glaring weakness at the 2-3 that I really think they have to try to address that spot as opposed to going after a big.
- E. SmithBrento … I think there is a chance that 1 of the 3 could go, but, I agree … like you … I’d be shocked if it truly happened
- E. Smithi truly believe Evans is the player to pick up as he could be the D.Wade in this draft and would possibly have a better rookie year than both Rubio/Harden. The Raps should really try hard to trade up for him. The only two players i would draft this year as the Raptors are Evans and Clark.
after seeing harden in the tourney, i have a lot of doubts in him. DeRozan is not proven and he’s probably close to a Gerald Green player.
Eric, would you consider picking up Trevor Ariza and Paul Millsap as FA for the Raps?
- DonaldDonald, Trevor Ariza is very hard to get because he is due a pay raise! Paul Milsap that guy is a story!!! And I think the Jazz will keep him and let Carlos Boozer go!!!
I like
Tyreke Evans 6-5 SG Memphis / Freshman
Hope he is still there on the board!!!
- Raps FanDonald - I would definitely consider Ariza and while Raps Fan is right that he’s going to get a raise, he might still be in the price range the Raptors can afford. We’ll see.
But I don’t think there’s any way to get both players. Millsap was outstanding this year though; Utah would’ve been down and out without him and his HUGE contributions in Boozer’s absence.
- E. Smith