NBA Draft 2017: 5 targets for the Toronto Raptors
By Ian Levy
The Raptors have a lot to figure out after getting swept out of the playoffs by the Cavaliers. First up, deciding what to do with the No. 23 pick in the NBA Draft.
The Toronto Raptors spent this season loading up for playoff matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, going so far as to trade away a pick to acquire Serge Ibaka at the trade deadline. As prepared as they could have possibly hoped to be, the Raptors were still swept out of the playoffs by Cleveland.
Raptors GM Masai Ujiri has talked about the need for change but also has committed to head coach Dwane Casey and the team will reportedly push to bring back Ibaka. Even with those pieces in place, there are plenty of questions — Kyle Lowry has opted out and could leave, Ibaka might decide not to come come back, and Patrick Patterson and P.J. Tucker are both unrestricted free agents. The Raptors are in a delicate position, trying to look to the future without sacrificing too much of their present.
The No. 23 pick in this year’s draft offers some intriguing possibilities for trying to balance those two competing interests.
5. Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C, Germany
Hartenstein is an intriguing big man prospect who has struggled to get on the court for his European team. On paper, he’s tantalizing — a 7-footer who is agile and could develop into a consistent shooter. In reality though, he still has a long way to go towards delivering on his promise.
Hartenstein is often discussed as a stretch big, but this is more about aesthetics than results. He’s not polished in the post or facing up and he shot just 8 of 29 on 3-pointers for his German team this season. He could eventually be the a versatile, mobile big who can score on the pick-and-roll or from the outside, but it’s not there yet.
Taking Hartenstein is a pick for Toronto’s future. They already have Jakob Poeltl, Jonas Valanciunas and Lucas Nogueira but Hartenstein, at his ceiling offers a different and more modern offensive look. The Raptors could take him and stash him in Europe, or bring him over and develop him slowly with their terrific D-League team.