Mock draft time is coming

[Jballer]

Seemingly the biggest "threats" to the Raptors getting their man depending on who Masai wants :

Moving up:

1) Houston @ 18 pick is "fairly universally" expected to select a PG or PG/G combo with upside. So if Masai wants a certain guy he made need to try to trade up ahead of Houston who are looking for similar players as Toronto

[COLOR="Blue"]Hard to predict how far up the Raptors could move and what the deal would be[/COLOR]... Atlanta ? Boston? Utah ? Would hate to see a "stretch".


Moving Down:

Swap picks + Cash or better still a 2nd rounder to move down may make a lot of sense depending on who Masai's guy is. If for example ....JGrant / Montrezl / TJones start falling... and one of these were the targets.

1) Dallas @ 21 though is a threat again to take what Toronto wants. PF to groom for Dirk ? PG if Rondo doesn't sign ?

2) Memphis @ 25 also probably want a PG but likely don't need a PF. If they retain MGas (which is pretty likely) they may look for an international pick to stash off the cap sheet...

[COLOR="Blue"]Moving down there are some potentially good options[/COLOR]. Boston primarily with 28 and 33 picks. If you think you could get your guy and Boston (they have picks galore and a full roster) was willing to deal you might even have a chance for a PG to groom and a shot at the [COLOR="Blue"]Christmas Kid from Syracuse[/COLOR]... I think he is projected as high second rounder and it would be good to see his skill set developing with the Raps

[Jballer]

USA Today sports wire 9.0

~ the key observation here seems to be a replacement for Lou Williams. Not sure if this is grounded in fact or rumor.
~ again consistent names Tyus and Montrezl highlighted in purple for projections guess reasons

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15. Hawks: Trey Lyles, PF Kentucky
HT: 6'10" | WT: 235 lbs | AGE: 19
For a team that values floor spacing and ball movement, Trey Lyles

[Jballer]

Okay assuming there is always cross fertilization of writer's ideas this is curious .

Draft Express and USA today have Raptors consistently on Rondae.

When you go through the other mocks around the internet thingy i.e Draft Express/ TSN.ca / ********* / CBS sports you start to see Rondae moving in the 20 range and pretty consistently picked...

I think I will absolutely wait for Chris Mannex and SI.com. His final mock draft is usually very close and the guy has his ear to the ground

But the more interesting thing out of the mocks is the newly consistent SF choice whereas before it was always PG or PF.

___


15.Sam Dekker SF (Wisconsin - Junior) 21.0 years old | 6'9" | 219 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (40 GP) 13.9 PPG 5.6 RPG 1.2 APG 25.9 PER

16.Bobby Portis PF (Arkansas - Sophomore) 20.3 years old | 6'11" | 246 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (36 GP) 17.5 PPG 8.9 RPG 1.2 APG 30.0 PER

17.Trey Lyles PF (Kentucky - Freshman) 19.5 years old | 6'10" | 241 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (36 GP) 8.7 PPG 5.2 RPG 1.1 APG 20.3 PER

18. [COLOR="Indigo"]Tyus Jones PG (Duke - Freshman)[/COLOR] 19.0 years old | 6'2" | 185 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (39 GP) 11.8 PPG 3.5 RPG 5.6 APG 20.6 PER

19. [COLOR="Indigo"]Kevon Looney PF (UCLA - Freshman) [/COLOR]19.3 years old | 6'9" | 222 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (36 GP) 11.6 PPG 9.2 RPG 1.4 APG 22.4 PER

[COLOR="Red"]20.Rondae Hollis-Jefferson SF (Arizona - Soph)20.4 years old | 6'7" | 211 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (38 GP) 11.2 PPG 6.8 RPG 1.6 APG 22.3 PER [/COLOR]

21.[COLOR="Indigo"]Jerian Grant PG [/COLOR](Notre Dame - Senior) 22.6 years old | 6'5" | 198 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (38 GP) 16.5 PPG 3.0 RPG 6.6 APG 25.7 PER

22. Justin Anderson SF (Virginia - Junior) 21.5 years old | 6'6" | 231 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (26 GP) 12.2 PPG 4.0 RPG 1.7 APG 24.2 PER

23. [COLOR="Indigo"]Montrezl Harrell PF (Louisville - Junior) [/COLOR]21.3 years old | 6'8" | 253 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (35 GP) 15.7 PPG 9.2 RPG 1.4 APG 25.2 PER

24. R.J. Hunter SG (Georgia State - Junior) 21.6 years old | 6'6" | 185 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (34 GP) 19.5 PPG 4.7 RPG 3.5 APG 26.0 PER

25. Robert Upshaw C (Washington - Sophomore) 21.4 years old | 7'0" | 258 lbs
2014-15 NCAA (19 GP) 10.9 PPG 8.2 RPG 0.5 APG 30.0 PER

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/#ixzz3bohgCVmF
http://www.draftexpress.com

[Jballer]

From a "website that shall NOT be named here" :)

Again back to Montrezl.... shouldnt a guy name Montrezl actually play in Canada !

More interesting is the side note on the Christmas kid from Syracuse that is projected to be an early 2nd rounder.

Maybe you guys and gals not excited by 2nd rounders but I think the Christmas kid is potentially worth the move down the draft board if you get something you want in return.


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15. Atlanta

[kmart]

Things to note from this draft workout.

- Dallin Bachyski and Maurice Walker were Canadian seniors on their respective college teams. Walker received lots of minutes, while Bachynski averaged lower minutes this year than his Junior year due to Utah having freshman Jokob Poeltl, a potential top ten pick next year.

- Jerian Grant could fit in as a 3rd guard behind, but his main asset is his playmaking. I'm not sure if the Raptors need another playmaker around Grant.

- Justin Anderson is a fit on the wing as a 3 and D player. He's highly coveted for his excellent defensive ability, he's also improved his 3 pt shooting in college as well. I'd be happy with him as the pick for the Raptors.

- RHJ is a excellent defensive player, however on the offensive side his skills are very limited. Not a fan if this was the pick.

[Chamberlain]

Anderson would be a great improvement over Ross, I feel.

[kmart]

Anderson would be a great improvement over Ross, I feel.

I am in the same opinion. He has the size to guard larger 3's and shoots the 3 at a good rate. I always think its good that players show excellent improvements in college, shows a lot about a players work ethic.

[Chamberlain]

If anyone cares, here's my early Mock Draft:

1
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
Minnesota Timberwolves

2
D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State
Los Angeles Lakers

3
Emmanuel Mudiay, SG, Guangdong Foshan (China)
Philadelphia Sixers

4
Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
New York Knicks

5
Kristaps Porzingis, FC, Baloncesto Sevilla (Spain)
Orlando Magic

6
Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Sacramento Kings

7
Mario Hezonja, SG, FC Barcelona II (Spain)
Denver Nuggets

8
Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Detroit Pistons

9
Stanley Johnson, G, Arizona
Charlotte Hornets

10
Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Miami Heat

11
Frank Kaminsky, F, Wisconsin
Indiana Pacers

12
Myles Turner, FC, Texas
Utah Jazz

13
Kevon Looney, F, UCLA
Phoenix Suns

14
Cameron Payne, G, Murray State
Oklahoma City Thunder

15
Trey Lyles, SF, Kentucky
Atlanta Hawks from Brooklyn

16
Justin Anderson, F, Virginia
Boston Celtics

17
Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Bucks

18
Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Houston Rockets from New Orleans

19
Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
Washington Wizards

20
Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Toronto Raptors

21
Jerian Grant, SG, Notre Dame
Dallas Mavericks

22
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Chicago Bulls

23
Montrezl Harrell, F, Louisville
Portland Trail Blazers

24
R.J. Hunter, G, Georgia State
Cleveland Cavaliers

25
Rashad Vaughn, SF, UNLV
Memphis Grizzlies

26
Delon Wright, G, Utah
San Antonio Spurs

27
Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
Los Angeles Lakers from Houston

28
Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Boston Celtics from L.A. Clippers

29
Jarell Martin, F, LSU
Brooklyn Nets from Atlanta

30
Norman Powell, SG, UCLA
Golden State Warriors

[kmart]

If anyone cares, here's my early Mock Draft:

1
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
Minnesota Timberwolves

2
D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State
Los Angeles Lakers

3
Emmanuel Mudiay, SG, Guangdong Foshan (China)
Philadelphia Sixers

4
Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
New York Knicks

5
Kristaps Porzingis, FC, Baloncesto Sevilla (Spain)
Orlando Magic

6
Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Sacramento Kings

7
Mario Hezonja, SG, FC Barcelona II (Spain)
Denver Nuggets

8
Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Detroit Pistons

9
Stanley Johnson, G, Arizona
Charlotte Hornets

10
Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Miami Heat

11
Frank Kaminsky, F, Wisconsin
Indiana Pacers

12
Myles Turner, FC, Texas
Utah Jazz

13
Kevon Looney, F, UCLA
Phoenix Suns

14
Cameron Payne, G, Murray State
Oklahoma City Thunder

15
Trey Lyles, SF, Kentucky
Atlanta Hawks from Brooklyn

16
Justin Anderson, F, Virginia
Boston Celtics

17
Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Bucks

18
Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Houston Rockets from New Orleans

19
Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
Washington Wizards

20
Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Toronto Raptors

21
Jerian Grant, SG, Notre Dame
Dallas Mavericks

22
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Chicago Bulls

23
Montrezl Harrell, F, Louisville
Portland Trail Blazers

24
R.J. Hunter, G, Georgia State
Cleveland Cavaliers

25
Rashad Vaughn, SF, UNLV
Memphis Grizzlies

26
Delon Wright, G, Utah
San Antonio Spurs

27
Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
Los Angeles Lakers from Houston

28
Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Boston Celtics from L.A. Clippers

29
Jarell Martin, F, LSU
Brooklyn Nets from Atlanta

30
Norman Powell, SG, UCLA
Golden State Warriors

Okafor dropping to 4, yikes! Very possible though. This may be a sleeper pick, but I think the Raptors may consider Robert Upshaw with their 20, if they can put aside the off court problems. Masai Ujiri loves players with long arms , like Cabloco and McGee, and Robert Upshaw is extremely long.

[Jballer]

Things to note from this draft workout.

- Dallin Bachyski and Maurice Walker were Canadian seniors on their respective college teams. Walker received lots of minutes, while Bachynski averaged lower minutes this year than his Junior year due to Utah having freshman Jokob Poeltl, a potential top ten pick next year.

- Jerian Grant could fit in as a 3rd guard behind, but his main asset is his playmaking. I'm not sure if the Raptors need another playmaker around Grant.

- Justin Anderson is a fit on the wing as a 3 and D player. He's highly coveted for his excellent defensive ability, he's also improved his 3 pt shooting in college as well. I'd be happy with him as the pick for the Raptors.

- RHJ is a excellent defensive player, however on the offensive side his skills are very limited. Not a fan if this was the pick.

Great post

I assume tho that other players who wouldn't or couldn't come to Toronto for a work out (i.e. at 20) are in consideration. Some due to scheduling conflict and other cause they think they are going higher or dont want to come to Toronto.

It happens

RHJ does standout as being here and being in projections. Same for Grant.

[Jballer]

Nice mock Chambs...

I should try to scribble one together too.

I "dont think" Bobby Portis falls below (1) Atlanta .. but ya never know. Unless he has suddenly issued a statement on micro surgery I think Portis is the best high energy big after Trey from kentucky.. and Atlanta will pick big as insurance for Mislap etc.

SI reports Cameron Payne moving up the boards too.

My head tells me "draft a G" even a playmaker cause PF / SF can be bought in free agency.

My gut tells me Masai is moving down the draft or stockpiling for next year.

[Chamberlain]

The only reason I have Okafor dropping to 4 is that, in this scenario I have the Lakers taking Russell, and I don't think there's any way Philly takes a big. To me the #2 pick is between Russell/Okafor, and if its Russell, Okafor drops an extra spot.

[Jballer]

Jballer Mock

1) T-Wolves Jahil Okafor

2) Lakers K-A Towns

3) 76ers D

[Chamberlain]

Trey Lyles #4?

[Jballer]

Trey Lyles #4?

LOL sorry away for a while.

Yep admittedly a stretch but I think this is they way the Knicks will go with the triangle offence.

May update in the next few days to firm up.