by Craig Kwasniewski
The Raptors win, thaaaaaaaa Raptors win!
Trying feverishly to remove my ECF predition off the headline after Miami beat the Pistons in game 1, let's catch some lottery fever.
The Toronto Raptors will get the number one pick overall and a chance at...
Well this is a weak draft. But any good news should help the Raptors in their effort to keep Chris Bosh.
"I am very pleased with the outcome. It was a lot of stress at the end,” said Bryan Colangelo, president and general manager of the Raptors. "Now the Toronto Raptors find themselves in a situation with not only the number one pick but cap flexibility thanks to a couple of deals made by Wayne Embry. The combination gives us plenty of options and we are playing with a full deck."
For all you NBA Lottery history buffs and Elgin Baylor fans, here's a list of every lottery pick since the system was implemented in 1985. (Year-by-Year Lottery Picks)
Here's a link to the ridiculous amount of draft coverage on NBA.com. (Draft Lottery Central)
Raptors fans are buzzing about winning the top pick in next month’s draft, but I say we trade the pick away for a veteran point guard and a pick lower in the first round.
Before Raptors fans chew my head off check out this logic - can any of the top players in the Draft help us out?
No.
None of the players this year are worthy of a top pick since Greg Oden has to play a year of college and Joakim Noah passed on the NBA.
Don’t get me wrong fellow Raps fans, I’m not trying to rain on your parade. I’m simply trying to state that winning the lottery will be a great thing if Bryan Colangelo can get the starting point guard or center out of trading the pick. One deal that immediately pops into mind would have the top pick heading to Seattle for Luke Ridnour and their 10th pick. This deal would allow the Raps to add another young player while gaining the floor general that they desperately need.
While the idea of having the top draft pick is sure to be enticing, common sense would dictate that the Raptors would be better suited by dealing away the pick for a veteran point guard of big man.
Posted by: Hoops Addict | May 24, 2006 at 11:15 AM
I agree 100% with Hoops Addict, the Raps need to trade the pick. The problem is that all the GMs know there's not a clear cut number one, so they won't be offering much for it unless there's someone that will fill a specific, immediate need.
We'll find out just how good Colangelo is by what he's able to get for the pick.
Posted by: Brett | May 24, 2006 at 02:59 PM
It's about 95% that we're picking Bargnani. I doubt he's worth a #1 but the problem is, it's realistic that Chi, Cha, and Por all draft him too...so trading down is risky.
Whatever happens though, thank god it's Colangelo and not Babcock.
Posted by: mrnoname | May 26, 2006 at 11:28 AM
What's the story with Mike James? Is he going to leave as a free agent?
I'd try to trade down and get an athletic swingman.
Posted by: Craig | May 26, 2006 at 11:56 AM