NBA Draft Rumors: Toronto Raptors Seven Potential Draftees

We always hear a plethora of rumors leading up to draft day, but the Raptors seem to have narrowed their search to seven players.

The following is a breakdown of who I see being on this select list based on workouts, draft buzz and interviews.

1. Avery Bradley: 6'3" G, Texas

Avery Bradley was ranked by many as a better high school player than John Wall.

Wall went to Kentucky and dazzled a nation while Bradley struggled to make the transition from high school to college, having a sub-par year for Texas.

I would liken Bradley's situation to that of Brandon Jennings from 2009. Both were top players in their recruiting classes who had very difficult seasons leading into the draft which significantly damaged their stock.

Bradley projects to be a combo guard at the next level; a player some have likened to Golden State's Monta Ellis.

While I think Bradley is even more impressive defensively than Ellis, he has less ability to create for others.

While he's a fantastic ball-handler, and a very respectable jump shooter, he's shown all year that he doesn't do well in the paint, finishing poorly and failing to know when to dish the ball out off of penetration.

His strength right now is his ability to play fantastic defense on the perimeter.

He's also a very good athlete who tested very well at the combine. The Raptors would likely use him to create offense at both guard spots off of the bench next season, but I project him as being an ideal point guard to play with Hedo Turkoglu if in fact they decide to keep him.

The Raptors are reportedly very high on the idea of pairing him with DeRozan in the backcourt, and they're also extremely high on his potential as a lockdown defender on the next level. If he's there at thirteen, he's a Raptor.

2. Cole Aldrich: 6'10" C, Kansas

Make no mistake, Cole Aldrich is going to be a very solid professional basketball player.

He has length and the right attitude to make it on the next level. He's also a great match to pair with Andrea Bargnani in the frontcourt.

Like with the potential of a DeRozan-Bradley backcourt, the idea of a Bargnani-Aldrich frontcourt also has to be appealing for the Raptors who would have two large shot blockers anchoring their defense, and a wonderful rebounder in Aldrich who's NBA ready.

3. Ekpe Udoh: 6'10" F/C, Baylor

Another interesting prospect is Ekpe Udoh, a player some have projected to go as high as seventh and as low as 18th.

He had a good year at Baylor, but the sample size is scaring off potential suitors. His lack of strength makes him a poor center prospect, and his age makes him a less appealing one.

He's also had concerns about his motor; his willingness to become great among other things. I think he has a lot in his game that he hasn't shown at Baylor and teams are catching on. He's a very low risk player as he will at worst be a solid starter down the line.

If he slips, I expect the Raptors to give him a long hard look.

Devin Ebanks: 6'8" F, West Virginia

Ebanks has addressed many of the concerns teams had about him heading into the workouts by proving he can actually shoot the ball a bit better than he did for West Virginia.

His strengths however are his rebounding and defense; this seems to be the theme for the Raptors going into this draft and Ebanks impressed them a lot.

If they're trading down, or they buy a pick later in the first round, expect Ebanks to be a potential target.

5. Solomon Alabi: 7'0" C, Florida State

Alabi is higher on the Raptors draftboard than he is on most others. The team is impressed with his coach-ability, size, potential, and attitude. He's also proven that he has a very good mid-range game in workouts.

The ghosts of Hasheem Thabeet and Saer Sene won't stop the Raptors from buying a pick in the mid-twenties if they see the former Florida State standout slipping.

Expect the Raptors to look to buy a pick to pick up Alabi if Ebanks doesn't slip. It is a match made in heaven for both parties.

6. Patrick Paterson 6'8" PF, Kentucky

Patrick Patterson may very well be the player many are projecting to be the Raptors' pick at thirteen.

From what I understand, he's their safety pick if others that they like more are off the board.

He's not an exceptional player in any way—he just has a toughness to him and he works hard. He's a below-average rebounder and nothing to write home about as a defender.

Considering the focus of this team going into the draft process is defense and rebounding, Patterson just doesn't seem to be the pick here.

Paul George: 6'9" G/F, Fresno State

There has been little talk of Paul George from the Toronto Raptors. I can't get a read on where they are on him as a prospect, and where they project him as a player down the road.

Some question his lack of work ethic, his performance at Fresno State last year or his defense.

It certainly doesn't look like he'll be a Raptor, but his potential may be too much to pass on if Bradley, Aldrich and Udoh are already off of the board.