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Toronto Raptors: 5 Reasons OG Anunoby was a great pick

By Nate Wolf

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; OG Anunoby (Indiana) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number twenty-three overall pick to the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; OG Anunoby (Indiana) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number twenty-three overall pick to the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 31, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) and forward Patrick Patterson (54) celebrate a play by center Jonas Valanciunas (17) against the Indiana Pacers at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Indiana 111-100. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) and forward Patrick Patterson (54) celebrate a play by center Jonas Valanciunas (17) against the Indiana Pacers at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Indiana 111-100. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Positional need

True, you can never have too many versatile wings and forwards. That’s just where the game is going. On the flip side, you can definitely have too few, and the Raptors do.

With Serge Ibaka, Patrick Patterson and P.J. Tucker entering free agency, here is a list of forwards the Raptors have under contract:

Not exactly world-beaters. Siakam and Caboclo are just as raw as Anunoby, while Carroll just struggled through a grim year.

Don’t expect Anunoby to immediately replace Patterson and Tucker if either, or both, sign elsewhere. Those two guys are proven shooters and defenders with years of experience in professional basketball. Only elite rookies can supplant rotation players immediately.

Still, Anunoby’s NBA-ready body, defensive solidity and potential to toggle between forward positions give him a chance to make an impact at a position of need. His addition to the team will help Ujiri replenish the Raptors’ frontcourt depth. Even if Toronto is still two or three players away from a fully stocked roster, Anunoby represents a decent first step.

Sometimes, teams have to choose between talent and need. Toronto didn’t. They got the best player left to fill their shallowest and least talented position.

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