Toronto Raptors: Top 5 Draft Picks Since 1995

By Joshua Howe | Jun 25, 2015

Oct 18, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Antawn Jamison (33) and Portland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard (11) go for a rebound in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 19, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Memphis Grizzlies forward Vince Carter gestures as he reacts to a highlight reel from his days in Toronto as the Raptors paid tribute to him as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

With the 2015 NBA draft right around the corner, it’s a good time to get a little nostalgic and look back at some of the good old days. Needless to say, we haven’t had a lot of those in Toronto Raptors history.

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After a bummer of an ending to Toronto’s 20th anniversary season, it might just be more fun on the whole to look back at the times we remember as good coming out of the darkness, rather than it being the other way around, as it is nowadays.

The Raps have the 20th pick in the upcoming draft, and while this is a fairly strong slew of young talent, Toronto won’t be getting anyone franchise-altering at such a late spot in the first round.

Still, there’s always that air of hope that surrounds the draft no matter what number your team is picking at. All of the fresh faces whose dreams are finally getting realized force you to take a step back for a moment and let it all sink in.

Every fan from everywhere always goes nuts when their club selects any player with a recognizable name.

It’s sheer madness and it’s wonderful.

So take a step back in time with me now and relive some of those memories from the past, when the Raptors’ picks were most exciting, in order from five-to-one of the greatest picks in team history.

Next: Number 5

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