2011 NBA Draft: Enes Kanter Might Slide to No. 5

There is a chance, Raptors fans, that the same player we would have selected at No. 3 overall may still be there at No. 5 overall.

Enes Kanter appears to be Bryan Colangelo’s primary target in this draft, and with Minnesota expected to trade their pick rather than spend it on Kanter, it is very likely that he makes it past the Jazz and Cavs and falls to the Raptors.

Kanter is a much safer pick at No. 5 than at No. 3, where I would suggest they had to draft a point guard.

However Enes Kanter at No. 5 overall is too good of a potential value to pass up regardless of who is left on the draft board (of course, Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams will be gone).

At No. 3 overall, Colangelo had a chance to blow the pick on Kanter if he failed to realize his immense potential—now, at No. 5, we will be picking the best of who’s left and there is less opportunity for Colangelo to blow the pick.

In all fairness, Colangelo has been a pretty good talent evaluator of prospects, except for 2006, when he went with his heart instead of his brain—and his franchise player—and opted against All-Star-caliber big man LaMarcus Aldridge and instead selected fellow countryman Andrea Bargnani.

It may be puzzling to some that they would openly advocate drafting more sure things like Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker at No. 3, but would opt for Kanter over both of them at No. 5, but it is all about value.

Kanter at No. 5 represents a terrific value for someone who has the skill to be in the mix at No. 1 overall, especially if he played the 2010 NCAA season for Kentucky with Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones.

How could he slip?

With the Pacers and Timberwolves already discussing a blockbuster deal for the second overall pick, it has become evident that the Timberwolves will do everything in their power to move from the second overall spot since they do not need Derrick Williams with Michael Beasley in town.

That means Williams will go second overall, Brandon Knight will likely go third and players like Alec Burks, Kawhi Leonard and Marshon Brooks will be given hard looks by the Cavs at No. 4, which may lead them to pass on Kanter, and thus he would fall to the Raps.

I have them selecting Kawhi Leonard, whose stock is soaring, and reports have it that they are looking to acquire another first-round pick to select Marshon Brooks.

Prepare yourselves, Raptors fans, as there is now a very strong possibility Enes Kanter slips to the Raptors.

This article and other offseason Raptors talk can be found on Raptors Digest.

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