Raptor Draft Night Hopes and Expectations

[RaptorsFan4Life]

If you're thinking what I'm thinking, I believe that the fascination with Biyombo is to pair him with Bargs so that he gets his rebounding and shot-blocking mule beside him. I don't buy that AB should move to the 4-spot and displacing the future development of Amir and Ed. At the 5th spot, it's the best player that needs to be drafted. Biyombo is not a lottery pick. Never.

BTW, Bismack had a one-on-one workout with himself in front of league execs and scouts and lost. What does that tell you about an undersized center? Yes, I've heard about the Ben Wallace comparisons but he truly has little to offer in terms of the full package (including a decent post game). I would even go as far as saying that I prefer Faried over him. The Raps cannot afford to accommodate Bargs yet again in this upcoming draft.

1) He can play backup C, at least until we can get rid of Bargs or do something with him.
2) The 1 on 1 drill was pretty much all jump shooting/offense which we already knew he was terrible at. You can't evaluate him on a 1 on 1 workout, that's not his style, he can't do the things he's great at like block shots, rebound, pick and roll or put backs.
3) He is far from undersized. He has a bigger standing reach than vast majority of the starting Cs in the league and he's 250LB not 215 like Ed. On top of that he's VERY explosive.

[Tim W.]

I have a really bad feeling Kanter is going to turn into a worse offensively bargnani with slightly better D.

Well, if he rebounds better than Bargnani, which is pretty much guaranteed, then he's still an upgrade.

[ceez]

I think we're just going to draft Leonard or Biyombo at 5 and that's it. I'd love to see Kemba in a raptors jersey but I'm not sure it's going to happen.

[Hassan]

draft all star level player to lead the team with derozan

[HuskyRaptor]

kemba/knight and Biyombo/kawhi/valanciunas!!!!!!

[ebrian]

Why is Alabi included in the young "core"? LOL..

[RAPresenting]

I hope that we only draft one rookie on draft night. I understand the rebuild is on and you need young assets with potential but it's also important to have a solid veteran core to help bring the players along. With the draft having a number of solid but unspectacular players I'd rather hold off on a move unless it returns a serious upgrade in talent not just youth. A core of Dre (25 years old, very good offensive player who still has upside on a reasonable deal and actually wants to be in TO even tho the media ruins him), Demar, Davis, Bayless, Amir, JJ and the 5th pick is enough guys who are getting minutes trying to iron out flaw in there respective games. I'd play it safe and draft Leonard and look to add some solid veteran players to this core to help change the culture/mentality of these younger guys.

I personally see next year as the year for the Raps to make a move as they'll more then likely have another lottery pick, will have a better idea of the value of the young core going forward and Jose's expiring deal wont be so tough to move. I'd rather him back up Bayless for a year and be worth something next year rather then move him for the sake of moving him (take on a longer just as bad contract).

[ceez]

if it were my hopes and dreams, we'd get kemba and either kawhi or kanter/jonas. sadly, i don't see this happening.

edit: oh and also my boy jimmy butler.

edit2: and burksy!

[Apollo]

I think they could use part of the remaining TPE but the option is all of it. I doubt that.

[Matt52]

Why is Alabi included in the young "core"? LOL..

He is young, drafted last year, has up to 2 more seasons on his contract, has good size, is considered a project with projects usually being kept for a couple of seasons minimum, and, finally, tried to get as many roster players involved in the options with only 10 choices permitted for the poll.

[Apollo]

I agree with Matt. Alabi is part of the core, just not an important piece. Colangelo said from the onset that the guy is project.

[NoPropsneeded]

I agree with Matt. Alabi is part of the core, just not an important piece. Colangelo said from the onset that the guy is project.

I want Alabi to see some minutes as a backup C next season. I think if he works his ass off in the off season he might be a decent backup and shot blocker for this team. What do u think?

[octothorp]

The crazy thing is that with BC, any of these 10 things are a real possibility. I have absolutely no clue what is going to happen on draft night.

I've gotta admit though, I'm 100% on the Kawhi bandwagon. If we draft him, I'll be happy regardless of what else happens. I'd love to see us move Bargs or Calderon for another lotto pick and a solid rotation player.

[Matt52]

I want Alabi to see some minutes as a backup C next season. I think if he works his ass off in the off season he might be a decent backup and shot blocker for this team. What do u think?

I've lost a lot of respect and faith in HoopsWorld.com. This is not because of their opinions but because they seem to have turned in to the TMZ or National Enquirer of professional basketball with the rumours created from chat rooms. For a site that is pushing itself as a professional and legitimate basketball publication, I've been disappointed of late.

Now with that said, they have had a number of comments saying that Alabi is, reportedly, working out in Florida and looking very good. Supposedly there was more to his knee issue last year than was let on.

Personally I hope that is true and he can become a solid rotational piece. He had a tremendous defensive career at FSU. HOWEVER - I'll believe it when I see it. I saw nothing from him last year that inspires me in the least, sadly.

[DunkinDerozan]

add to list sign tyson chadler?

[Apollo]

1. Re-sign with the World Champion Mavericks
2. Sign with the bottom feeder Raptors

What's the appeal in #2?

[SCass]

I am really, really hoping that the Jazz-Raptors rumor comes to life and we send our #5 to Utah for Al Jefferson and #12.

I think that Jefferson would be great to man the middle, and could fit either either Bargs or Ed. Plus, if we got Singleton or Burks or just about any other SG/SF options available at that slot, I don't think the product will be that much less than Leonard.

Trade Calderon and Amir for Beasly and Flynn and I am a happy fan!

Flynn/Bayless
DeRozan/Burks
Beasley/Johnson
Barganani/Davis
Jefferson/Alabi

[ebrian]

Why would anyone trade for Alabi? He's less valuable today than a 2nd round pick of this year's terrible draft.

[Tim W.]

I am really, really hoping that the Jazz-Raptors rumor comes to life and we send our #5 to Utah for Al Jefferson and #12.

I think that Jefferson would be great to man the middle, and could fit either either Bargs or Ed. Plus, if we got Singleton or Burks or just about any other SG/SF options available at that slot, I don't think the product will be that much less than Leonard.

Trade Calderon and Amir for Beasly and Flynn and I am a happy fan!

Flynn/Bayless
DeRozan/Burks
Beasley/Johnson
Barganani/Davis
Jefferson/Alabi

Wow, I would possibly hate that team. Beasley, Bargnani, Flynn and Jefferson are 4 guys I have zero interest in wanting on my team, and I'm also not a fan of Burks. And that team would probably also be worse defensively than last year's team.

[Apollo]

Why would anyone trade for Alabi? He's less valuable today than a 2nd round pick of this year's terrible draft.

I'm thinking a certain GM in Denver might have a lot of interest.