Raptors Prioritize Two-Way Talent in Draft
The Toronto Raptors selected forward Allen Graves 19th overall in the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday night. Graves, a six-foot-nine forward, aligns with the Raptors’ history of drafting athletic forwards of similar stature, including Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, and Collin Murray-Boyles. Graves expressed enthusiasm about joining a winning program, stating that he knew the team’s culture was strong from his visit.
Bobby Webster, the Raptors’ general manager and executive vice-president, reiterated the team’s long-standing philosophy of drafting the best available two-way players. He noted that the team avoids drafting solely for immediate fit in the first round, recognizing the competitive and ever-changing nature of the NBA. Webster emphasized that the team’s approach has consistently focused on acquiring players who can contribute on both ends of the court.
Graves, from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, was not widely recognized by the NBA until his freshman year at Santa Clara. His profile, physical attributes, and skill set are described as familiar to the Raptors’ draft tendencies. He emerged late, similar to Murray-Boyles, and primarily played off the bench in college, much like Barnes. Graves possesses an NBA-ready physique with a seven-foot wingspan and a natural feel for the game, attributed to playing point guard during a late growth spurt.
During his freshman season, Graves demonstrated his shooting ability, hitting 41 percent of his 93 three-point attempts. He was recognized as the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. Graves averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for the Santa Clara Broncos last season, along with 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Graves stated he feels prepared for the NBA, believing he can compete at this level.
Second-Round Pick and Future Strategy
In the second round of the draft, the Raptors used their 50th overall pick to select Jaden Bradley, a guard from Arizona. Bradley, a four-year collegiate player, averaged 13.3 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over 39 games with the Wildcats. Bradley expressed appreciation for the Raptors’ confidence in him, noting that he was the only player selected in the second round who remained with his original team’s pick.
Both Graves and Bradley have arrived in Toronto to begin their transition. Graves, who was present at the draft in Brooklyn, New York, had a less complicated journey compared to Bradley, who traveled from Concord, North Carolina, after being selected. Bradley noted his experience with travel due to previous workouts.
The Raptors’ strategy in the draft, by adding Graves and Bradley, reinforced their focus on their strengths and deferred addressing some perceived weaknesses. Webster indicated that the team would now shift its attention to free agency and potential trades to address areas such as guard and centre depth. He highlighted that the recent trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat could open up further opportunities in the trade market.
Looking Ahead for the Raptors
Webster’s contract extension is in place, and a new deal for head coach Darko Rajakovic is expected. The team faces pressure to build on a season that included 46 wins and a seven-game playoff series, especially with improvements among other Eastern Conference teams. Graves is expected to focus on his defensive capabilities, including switching and guarding multiple positions, to establish himself in the league. Bradley plans to improve his shooting consistency, playmaking, and reduce turnovers, while also learning from veteran players like Jamal Shead.
The Raptors’ general manager acknowledged that merely relying on internal growth might not be sufficient to keep pace with the evolving Eastern Conference. The team will need to be assertive in the off-season to strengthen their roster before training camp begins in the fall.
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Source: tsn.ca
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
