Raptors GM Sends Clear Message Before NBA Draft
The Toronto Raptors finished 30-52 this past season, the seventh-worst record in the NBA. They now have a 31.9 percent chance to land a top-four 2025 NBA Draft pick and a 7.5 percent chance to get the No. 1 spot, via Tankathon.
This draft class features college stars Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey, along with promising players such as Tre Johnson and VJ Edgecombe. The Raptors' last pick was guard/forward Gradey Dick out of Kansas at No. 13 overall in 2023, who averaged 14.4 points on 41 percent shooting (35 percent 3 PT) with 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season.
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Their most recent lottery pick before that was forward Scottie Barnes out of Florida State in 2021, who won Rookie of the Year in '22 and All-Star honors in '24.
However, Toronto general manager Bobby Webster is still hungry to add more talent, via TSN.
Jan 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) reacts with guard Gradey Dick (1) after taking the lead in the final seconds against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
'We are looking for two-way players, we are looking for players that compete, we are looking for players with a chip on their shoulder/really tough work ethic,' he said.
"If you look back, I think this will be our fourth lottery pick since we've [this regime has] been here. You think back to Jakob [Poetl] at nine, Scottie at four, Gradey at 13," he continued. "When we do have one of these picks this high, there's an increased awareness and focus within the organization to do our background and select the player that fits best for us."
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"We're excited for the challenge, and we're looking forward to making a good draft pick," he concluded.
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