Toronto Raptors: Looking Ahead To The Draft

With two first-round picks, including a lottery pick, the Toronto Raptors soon face an interesting dilemma with what they want out of this year’s draft.

With their focus fully shifted towards the offseason, the next few weeks for the Toronto Raptors are filled with some big decisions.

We’ve already seen the team deal with some big business as it was just last week that they locked down head coach Dwane Casey to a new contract extension, one that lasts until the end of the 2018-19 season.

Of course, the larger question that many have wondered when it comes to the Raptors this summer has been the upcoming free agency of DeMar DeRozan.

That question has since been extended to the promising Bismack Biyombo, especially after his performance throughout this year’s playoffs.

However, before we even reach that point in the offseason, there’s one important event that could have a big impact on how the Raptors approach the rest of their summer.

That event? This year’s NBA Draft.

While they don’t have the stockpile of draft picks like the Boston Celtics, the Raptors hold a big asset with the ninth overall pick (thanks to the Andrea Bargnani trade), as well as their own first-round pick (the 27th overall pick).

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Unlike a team like the Celtics that has mixed being competitive with rebuilding in an exemplary way, the Raptors aren’t viewed to be chasing a player that has the potential to become a star with their lottery pick (at least, for now).

Although that isn’t to say that the Raptors aren’t in need of an upgrade at a certain position.

Patrick Patterson and Luis Scola (who will be a free agent as well) both did an admirable job throughout the season for the Raptors, but the starting power forward spot remains the biggest glaring need for the Raptors, long-term.

Similarly, the upcoming free agency of Biyombo (now that he’s reportedly opted out of his player option) will likely open up a spot at the backup center position for the Raptors, should he sign elsewhere.

While many mock drafts in recent weeks have reflected both of those circumstances, it’s important to remember the position the Raptors find themselves in.

After all, this is a team that’s coming off a 56-win season, which ended in their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in their history. Although they’ll be faced with big questions over the next 12-15 months, the Raptors are clearly on a defined timeline.