2015 NBA Draft Combine Prospects the Toronto Raptors Must Watch Closely

This year's combine won't provide tremendous value for teams selecting near the top of the 2015 NBA draft, as several elite prospects—including Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and Emmanuel Mudiay—have elected not to participate. 

A majority of the projected first-round talent that's expected to show up won't even be taking part in basketball-related activity, as Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman notes. 

That shouldn't deter general manager Masai Ujiri and his Toronto Raptors, though, as the combine—which began Wednesday—is one of the first steps in getting the most bang for its buck with the No. 20 pick. 

With so much uncertainty surrounding the roster and how it will take shape in 2015-16, Ujiri would be wise in avoiding drafting another long-term project for the end of his bench. Brazilian Bruno Caboclo, who was taken at No. 20 last year and proclaimed to be "two years away from being two years away" by ESPN's Fran Fraschilla, fills that quota nicely.

What the Raptors need is someone who can step in right away and fill a role, whether it be as a defense-stopper, rim protector or rebounder—areas the team noticeably struggled in. 

The athletic tests can raise or hinder a prospect's draft stock, but not to a great extent. Former NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant couldn't perform a single 185-pound repetition on the bench press, yet that didn't stop the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder from taking him with the No. 2 overall pick in 2007. 

Ujiri and his team will treat the combine like the resource it is, milking it for every last drop of information on the talent they feel could wind up on the roster next season. A number of players projected to fall somewhere in the middle of the draft will be on hand for interviews, measurements and testing—giving Toronto every opportunity to set its selection process off on a high note. 

The following five players should be monitored closely. Their respective skill sets could mesh well with a Raptors squad that needs assistance across the board. 

PF Christian Wood, UNLV

Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Patterson is the only power forward on the Raptors signed through 2015-16, as both Amir Johnson and Tyler Hansbrough are set to become unrestricted free agents this summer. 

Shoring up depth at the position, should Johnson and Hansbrough head elsewhere, needs to be a top priority.

UNLV's Christian Wood has significant upside at just 19 years old, yet enough of an established game to be of some use right out of the gate. His age, though, could be his downfall in a Dwane Casey-run system, as the Raptors' head coach isn't one to roll with youngsters on a consistent basis.

Wood averaged a double-double of 15.7 points and 10.0 rebounds in 33 appearances this past season for the Runnin' Rebels. The Raptors could always use another big to crash the boards, having finished 26th with an average of 41.6. He gets off the ground quickly and can soar above the rim, which is something Toronto's 4's would never be confused for doing. 

His 25 three-pointers on 28.4 percent shooting are an early sign that Wood can one day evolve into a reliable stretch 4, although he'll need to improve his form and setup before that becomes a regular part of his game.

As Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com notes: "While Wood shot only 28% from beyond the arc this season, he should be able to develop into a capable jump-shooter in time with cleaner shooting mechanics and especially better shot-selection. He tends to dip the ball significantly on the catch, turning his body slightly sideways and splaying his feet out on his release at times—things can and should be corrected in time if he's open to instruction."

Standing 6'11" and weighing just 220 pounds isn't ideal. Wood will need to put on some muscle to become a proficient defender at the pro level. He has the length with a 7'3" wingspan to continue being the shot blocker he was in college (averaged 3.3 rejections per 40 minutes), yet his lanky frame will limit what he can accomplish defensively.

It's going to be extremely difficult for the Raptors, let alone any team in the bottom-half of the first round, to pass on Wood if he's still on the board late. There is All-Star potential to be had here. 

PG Delon Wright, University of Utah

Don Ryan/Associated Press

A 6'5" point guard that can defend? Greivis Vasquez better not get too comfortable.

Delon Wright's biggest strength is his defense, which the Raptors desperately need from the point guard position. Vasquez and Kyle Lowry got torched by John Wall in the postseason, allowing the Wizards' floor general to put up 17.3 points and 12.5 dimes in a four-game sweep. 

Wright averaged 2.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per 40 minutes during his two-year stint with the Utes. 

Being 23 years old will hurt his stock, giving teams like the Raptors a massive steal if they can scoop him up late. He's "old" by rookie standards, killing some of his upside. It also hurts how his body will develop, as he may have already reached his physical peak.

He can run an offense effectively, but isn't particularly strong when left to fend for himself in isolation situations, especially when pulling up for jumpers.

Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com credits Wright for being versatile in the lane, using ball fakes and euro-step moves to get to the basket. It's when he starts settling for outside shots when things start going haywire, though.

Defence needs to be his bread and butter, especially if the Raptors take a chance on him. Casey will have his three-man guard rotation of Vasquez-Kyle Lowry-Lou Williams (if the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year re-signs, that is), but not one of them can defend.

Cue Wright. 

PF Montrezl Harrell, University of Lousiville

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Montrezl Harrell is a winner. His 2013 National Championship victory is a literal example, but the way he conducts himself behind the scenes and amongst his teammates proves that he wants to be great.

In a piece by Jeff Greer of the Courier-Journal, Louisville coach Rick Pitino discussed Harrell's move to step down as team captain, although the reasoning behind it would make any hard-nosed basketball purist smile:

"

Nobody was supposed to say anything because it was really no big deal. I've had a problem with Montrezl getting all over our guys in practice, especially the young freshmen. I've called him in on several occasions and said, 'Listen, as a captain, you cannot get on these guys the way you're doing. You're killing their confidence.'

His response was, 'These guys don't work hard enough. They don't listen well enough. And unless they develop, we're not going to be a great team at the end of the year.' I said, 'That may be true, but you've got to let me be the bad guy.'

"

He can't be that overbearing in the NBA, but any veteran he ends up playing beside will appreciate the fact that Harrell is willing to put in the work and, one day, take on a leadership role. 

The 21-year-old was on the brink of averaging a double-double for the year, finishing with 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds in 35 games. 

Sam Vecenie of CBSSports.com has Harrell going to the Raptors in his latest mock draft, saying how the team "can trust Harrell to work as hard as any other player in the league, and he'll be good on the boards from day one."

There's an Amir Johnson-esque likeness to his game. He's not the most fundamentally sound forward you've ever seen grace a basketball court, but that can all change in due time. Harrell's hustle on both ends and aggressive nature almost compensates for his 6'8" stature—which could be considered too small for an NBA power forward.

You can't teach passion, though. You either have it or you don't. Harrell has it. The Raptors could use more of it.

SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, University of Arizona

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is a James Johnson clone, which may or may not be held against him by Casey should he become a Raptor.

It was Johnson's decision-making on the defensive end—despite his defensive rating being second-best on the team at 101.9—that caused him to lose minutes as the season wore on. Casey couldn't overlook how Johnson would try to do too many things at once, constantly over-helping and lacking the discipline to stay with his man. The rotation being as deep on the wing as it was also played a part in Johnson becoming a ghost.

If the Johnson experiment fails to gain any traction, he could easily walk when he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. Hollis-Jefferson could then step up and potentially thrive where Johnson couldn't.

His shooting, though, will continue being his Achilles' heel until he does a complete overhaul of his mechanics. 

J.Z. Mazlish of UpsideMotor.com agrees: "Hollis-Jefferson cocks the ball back too far behind his head, turns dramatically sideways, and the hitch in his release makes it hard to watch. It’s possible that Hollis-Jefferson can stick with his current form and become a decent shooter, but it’s unlikely to happen. If he is going to develop into a serviceable shooter, he is going to need to re-work his form completely."

His defensive intangibles have never been questioned. Hollis-Jefferson was one of the top defensive wings in the country playing for the Wildcats, locking down the best player on the opposing team every night.

The Raptors need someone on the perimeter who can match up with high-profile assignments, especially with Casey lacking confidence in Johnson. The Raptors could toss Hollis-Jefferson into the lion's den on opening night and trust him to defend and compete for every minute he's on the hardwood.

His failing offense—which includes a 20.7 three-point percentage—could be masked by being surrounded by offensive-minded teammates in the backcourt. He could even replace Terrence Ross in the starting lineup should he ever develop a mid-range or long-range game. 

PF Trey Lyles, University of Kentucky

James Crisp/Associated Press

Trey Lyles being Canadian wouldn't be lost on Ujiri, as he would love to see a native of the country suit up in red and white north of the border. 

Where a player is born—Lyles was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan—shouldn't be the No. 1 factor behind why a prospect gets drafted, though. In Lyles' case, it would be because he fills a pressing need for the team: a back-to-the-basket forward who can help take some of the pressure off of center Jonas Valanciunas.

The Kentucky Wildcats were so deep that it was easy for Lyles to get lost in the shuffle. Having to fight for touches with Anthony-Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein and the Harrison Twins in the mix was a tall task, yet Lyles found a way to thrive with less attention focused on him. 

Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com summarized Lyles best by calling him "a jack of all trades and a master of none." He can rebound, pass, knock down freebies at the charity stripe and score on the low block. His defense left a lot to be desired in Kentucky, but that can be attributed to him playing at small forward and not as a natural power forward.

Measuring at 6'10" with a 7'3" wingspan and 235-pound frame makes him the perfect 4, playing a traditional big-man game while not being overly athletic or explosive. He converted 59.5 percent of his looks in the paint (per Synergy, via DraftExpress.com) with a silky sweet touch around the rim. 

Lyles will need to add some semblance of a mid-range game to his arsenal to keep defenders honest. There's nothing wrong with constantly working your magic down low, but being able to step out and hit a 15-foot jumper once in a while could do a lot of good. Opposing teams will catch on quickly if his offense becomes too one-dimensional, especially if the Raptors were to keep him strictly at the 4.

There's a lot to like about Lyles, both as a potential starting power forward for the future and from a marketing perspective. The "We The North" movement could always use an extra shot of Canadian, but at the end of the day, a deep playoff run would do a lot more for the city and country as a whole.

Lyles could help make that happen. Maybe not right away, but soon enough. 

Christopher Walder is a Featured Columnist for the Toronto Raptors at Bleacher Report. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports.  

*All statistics are courtesy of NBA.com/stats and Sports-Reference.com*