Toronto Raptors: Three Potential Draft Scenarios and How to Build Around Them

Justin BoninJun 7, 2018

With the trade deadline having come and gone and the playoffs far out of reach, I am now looking toward the NBA draft and the future of the Toronto Raptors.

I am presenting three scenarios that look at the top lottery picks at the PG, SF and PF positions in this year’s draft.

I break down what the Toronto Raptors need to do in regards to re-signing players, signing free agents and offseason trades in order to maximize the value of their lottery pick in each case.

Scenario 1: Draft Kyrie Irving

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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 01: Kyrie Irving #1 of the Duke Blue Devils watches on during their game against the Michigan State Spartans at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 1, 2010 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

1. Free Agency:

Re-sign:

Reggie Evans (for cheap)

Leandro Barbosa

Alexis Ajinca

Do not re-sign:

Sonny Weems

Julian Wright

Joey Dorsey

2. Sign Free Agents:

Center:

Marc Gasol

Tyson Chandler

Nene Hilario

DeAndre Jordan

Small Forward:

Tayshaun Prince

Shane Battier

Andrei Kirilenko

Matt Barnes

Wilson Chandler

3. Trade:

Jerryd Bayless

Ed Davis or Amir Johnson

Looking for: A center or small forward if they were unable to sign one in free agency.

Possible Depth Chart

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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 01: Kyrie Irving #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates during their game against the Michigan State Spartans at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 1, 2010 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Possible Depth Chart

PG: Kyrie Irving, Jose Calderon

SG: DeMar DeRozan, Leandro Barbosa

SF: (Shane Battier or Tayshaun Prince, etc…), James Johnson, Linas Kleiza

PF: Andrea Bargnani, (Ed Davis or Amir Johnson), Reggie Evans

C: (Tyson Chandler or Marc Gasol or Nene Hilario), Alexis Ajinca, Solomon Alabi

Scenario 2: Draft Perry Jones, Derrick Williams or Terrence Jones

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Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 03: Terrence Jones #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats dunks the ball during the game against the Penn Quakers at Rupp Arena on January 3, 2011 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

1. Free Agency:

Re-sign:

Reggie Evans

Leandro Barbosa

Alexis Ajinca

Do not re-sign:

Sonny Weems

Julian Wright

Joey Dorsey

2. Sign Free Agents

Center:

Tyson Chandler

Marc Gasol

Nene Hilario

DeAndre Jordan

Point guard:

Goran Dragic

Jose Juan Barea

Mo Williams

3. Trade:

Jerryd Bayless

Amir Johnson or Ed Davis

Looking for: A point guard or center if they were unable to sign one in free agency.

Possible Depth Chart:

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Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 27: Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks fouls Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the championship game of the Las Vegas Invitational at The Orleans Arena November 27, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kansas won 87-7

PG: (Goran Dragic or Jose Juan Barea or Mo Williams, etc… ), Jose Calderon

SG: DeMar DeRozan, Leandro Barbosa

SF: Perry Jones, James Johnson, Linas Kleiza

PF: Andrea Bargnani, (Ed Davis or Amir Johnson), Reggie Evans

C: (Tyson Chandler or Marc Gasol or Nene Hilario), Alexis Ajinca, Solomon Alabi

Scenario 3: Draft Jared Sullinger

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Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 15: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts while playing the Michigan State Spartans on February 15, 2011 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

1. Free Agency:

Re-sign:

Leandro Barbosa

Alexis Ajinca

Do not re-sign:

Reggie Evans

Sonny Weems

Julian Wright

Joey Dorsey

2. Sign Free Agents:

Point guard:

Goran Dragic

Jose Juan Barea

Mo Williams

Small forward:

Tayshaun Prince

Shane Battier

Andrei Kirilenko

Wilson Chandler

Matt Barnes

Center:

Marc Gasol

Tyson Chandler

Nene Hilario

3. Trade:

Andrea Bargnani

Jerryd Bayless

Ed Davis or Amir Johnson

James Johnson or Linas Kleiza

Looking for: A point guard, small forward and center depending on what we get in free agency.

One of the three should be a star caliber player (part of any Bargnani trade) and the other two should average at least a double-double (in the case of the SF, we would need a good scorer, rebounder and defender).