Draft Profile: Jonas Valanciunas

[Raptors_]

DD and ED, as much as I love them on the Raptors, are nowhere near the talent of Westbrook and Durant. I am not comparing those players at this stage in their careers, I am comparing Westbrook and Durant when they were heading in to their 2nd and 3rd years.

Westbrook averaged in his second year: 16.1 PPG
Derozan Averaged: 17.2

You can't compare Ed cause he barley played. And Durant is in a whole different league.

[Tim W.]

Westbrook averaged in his second year: 16.1 PPG
Derozan Averaged: 17.2

You can't compare Ed cause he barley played. And Durant is in a whole different league.

What does how many ppg they scored have to do with how good they are?

[e2thed]

Watch out, Kanter will win rookie of the year, and he will be drafted 4th overall by Cavs. We need to trade up to get Minnesota's pick or we are doomed.

[RaptorsFan4Life]

Kanter will play 30 games and his knee will asplode

[Matt52]

Westbrook averaged in his second year: 16.1 PPG
Derozan Averaged: 17.2

You can't compare Ed cause he barley played. And Durant is in a whole different league.

Ignoring the fact PPG means very little to a player's total worth and value, the fact Durant is in a whole different league is the point. The Raptors have nothing close to a franchise talent let alone a perrenial all-star.

[planetmars]

For a team as bad as the Raptors selecting the best player available makes a lot of sense. However there have been mixed feelings as to who that would be, but should the Raptors stay away from a SF since the '12 draft seems to have an abundance of them?

The Raptors will most likely have another high pick in '12 (and hopefully another one if BC can swing a deal). Should the Raptors be mindful of what position they might go after in '12 and select a different position in this years draft? I like the idea of Leonard but if we get Barnes/McAdoo/Jones/Miller next year then would that be a waste of a pick? So even though I like Leonard and if Kanter is off the table, should the Raptors select someone like Knight/Walker or Valanciunas/Biyombo just because there aren't as many PG/Centers in next years draft? I'm thinking that it might be a smart decision.

[Matt52]

Toronto Raptors GM Brian Colangelo on their fifth pick in the Draft: “not looking for instant gratification.” Jonas Valanciunas is our projected pick for the Raptors currently in our lottery mock draft.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/7...s-and-analysis

I am weary of B/R but unless they are making up quotes, this one looks legit.

[RaptorDan]

Why wouldn't Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker, Alec Burks, Kawhi Leonard, and Reggie Jackson go to the combine and let teams watch them work out? I'm surprised so many top rated players didn't go.

[Matt52]

Why wouldn't Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker, Alec Burks, Kawhi Leonard, and Reggie Jackson go to the combine and let teams watch them work out? I'm surprised so many top rated players didn't go.

I guess nothing to gain and everything to lose.

[Tim W.]

For a team as bad as the Raptors selecting the best player available makes a lot of sense. However there have been mixed feelings as to who that would be, but should the Raptors stay away from a SF since the '12 draft seems to have an abundance of them?

The Raptors will most likely have another high pick in '12 (and hopefully another one if BC can swing a deal). Should the Raptors be mindful of what position they might go after in '12 and select a different position in this years draft? I like the idea of Leonard but if we get Barnes/McAdoo/Jones/Miller next year then would that be a waste of a pick? So even though I like Leonard and if Kanter is off the table, should the Raptors select someone like Knight/Walker or Valanciunas/Biyombo just because there aren't as many PG/Centers in next years draft? I'm thinking that it might be a smart decision.

It's nice to think about next year's draft, but you simply have no idea where you are going to draft and who will be the best player at that point. PGs like Austin Rivers and Myck Kabongo might end up being two of the best players in the draft next year. Patric Young might grow a couple of inches and become the next Dwight Howard. WHat matters most is getting the most bang for your buck, and that means drafting the best player, whatever position that might be. If they need to be moved later on, then so be it. Remember that Oklahoma essentially drafted Jeff Green (technically Boston did) even though they had just draft Kevin Durant. They later turned Green into Kendrick Perkins. And now they're in the Western Conference Finals.

[RaptorDan]

Why wouldn't Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker, Alec Burks, Kawhi Leonard, and Reggie Jackson go to the combine and let teams watch them work out? I'm surprised so many top rated players didn't go.

I looked around and got my answer:

Few players ever skip athletic testing; even LeBron James, Cleveland's last no-brainer No. 1 pick, participated. Top prospects do skip the drill portion of the combine with some regularity, and Irving won't be alone on the sidelines for that, as Ford has reported Arizona forward Derrick Williams, UConn guard Kemba Walker and Kentucky guard Brandon Knight are among those passing on an opportunity to do the drills.

SBNation

[Tim W.]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/7...s-and-analysis

I am weary of B/R but unless they are making up quotes, this one looks legit.

I read that quote elsewhere, too. I like where Colangelo's head seems to be for this draft.

On a sidenote, the article you read actually grabbed the quote from swishscout.com, and in their early mock draft, Derrick Williams drops to 5th. I'm leery of whether Williams can defend the 3, but that would be a steal.

[WhatWhat]

PGs like Austin Rivers and Myck Kabongo might end up being two of the best players in the draft next year.

Wut? Rivers isn't a PG.

[Tim W.]

Wut? Rivers isn't a PG.

Oops. For some reason I was thinking he was a PG. Maybe because of his father.

[MangoKid]

Wut? Rivers isn't a PG.

He's a combo guard..depends on what sites you consult. Some have him as a PG, some have him as SG, some have him as a PG/SG.

[Employee]

Does anyone know if Jonas is going to be visiting any teams or doing any workouts?

[Raptors_]

What does how many ppg they scored have to do with how good they are?

thats all westbrook and durant do...

[Raptors_]

He's a combo guard..depends on what sites you consult. Some have him as a PG, some have him as SG, some have him as a PG/SG.

i'd take kabongo over Rivers. Not only cause he's from toronto, but because he's a true PG and the fans will love him the minute he steps on the floor.

[Matt52]

Does anyone know if Jonas is going to be visiting any teams or doing any workouts?

They'll have a chance to see him at the EuroCamp.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...--Roster-3702/

*EDIT* Although he isn't listed - sorry about that. But if he does declare (June 13th is pull out for international players) I imagine he'll be there.

[MangoKid]

i'd take kabongo over Rivers. Not only cause he's from toronto, but because he's a true PG and the fans will love him the minute he steps on the floor.

How does my point have anything to do with Kabongo? As for who I'd take, I'd reserve my judgment until after the next collegiate season.