2016 NBA Mock Draft: Drafting For Need

Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League attends a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.Bender's name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months. / AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

10 of 31

Feb 27, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles forward Henry Ellenson (13) during the game against the Villanova Wildcats at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Villanova won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Toronto Raptors: Henry Ellenson, Marquette Golden Eagles

Position: Power Forward
Age: 19 (1/13/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.5″, 231 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .446/.288/.749
Season Averages: 33.5 MPG, 17.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 1.8 APG, 1.5 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 3PM

The Toronto Raptors are facing the potential departure of franchise player DeMar DeRozan. The All-Star shooting guard has made drastic improvements to his game, and while it’s entirely possible that he’ll be back in 2016-17, DeRozan will be an unrestricted free agent during the summer of 2016.

The presence of Norman Powell and Terrence Ross alleviates the pressure enough to focus on another area of need: power forward.

Toronto values the versatility of a stretch 4, as evidenced by its dependence upon Patrick Patterson and Luis Scola. By drafting Henry Ellenson, Toronto would be investing in a power forward with the potential to start for years to come.

Ellenson has a complete offensive skill set with upside that’s drawn comparisons to All-Star power forward Kevin Love.

Ellenson has the body and finishing ability to be a heavily relied upon scoring threat out of the post. He continues to expand his shooting range, and while he isn’t a great individual defender, he’s an excellent defensive rebounder who can block shots and break up entry passes.

The worst-case scenario: Toronto gets a bigger version of Patterson. That’s a comforting basement for a player with such a high ceiling.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks

Home/NBA Draft