Raptors Talk Draft Philosophy, Trade Options, & 2023 Class Strengths Ahead of NBA Draft

The Toronto Raptors are weighing all their options as they look to prioritize talent over fit in Thursday's NBA Draft

Aaron Rose | Jun 20, 2023

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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Toronto Raptors

For a moment, it almost seemed like the Toronto Raptors were revealing something.

How much consideration have you given to moving up in the draft, one reporter asked assistant general manager Dan Tolzman on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Thursday’s NBA Draft.

“Quite a bit,” Tolzman said.

Wait, what?

It was never going to be that easy.

“Our whole operation around the draft is to try to know at least all the ranges of picks just in case something comes across the table that's too good to pass up on,” Tolzman continued. “We're also really taking a close look at the players up in the top five, top ten, whatever, just in case. And then same with move-back opportunities, too.”

The Raptors aren’t revealing anything these days. Even the names of the 20 or so prospects the organization has decided to work out are shrouded in secrecy. Only those who need to know are in the know, Tolzman said. To them, it’s a competitive advantage, at least in theory.

What we do know is Toronto wants to take the best player available, at least so they say. It’s cliché, of course, but to the Raptors it remains true regardless of the roster, free agency, and whatever trades may or may not happen this summer.

“You can’t deny talent when it’s all said and done,” Tolzman said. “With the draft picks because you never know what the team could look like two weeks later, a month later, six months later.”

For Toronto, this year is particularly complicated with Fred VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl both heading into free agency. The Raptors are in desperate need of guard depth, especially if VanVleet leaves, and even if he returns, this roster could use additional ball-handling and floor-spacing talent.

Regardless of drafting for fit, Toronto is confident there will be plenty of players who do fit on the board at No. 13. It’s a deep draft, Tolzman said, with a high level of on-ball playmakers.

“We like where we’re at, at 13, and we’re getting a lot of offers or things coming across the table for picks all around the draft as well,” Tolzman noted. “There seems to be a number of different places in this draft where there’s players to be had.”

It has been a little frustrating for the Raptors that they haven’t been able to bring in more players for workouts. As Tolzman joked, 20 players think they’re going in the top 10 and some of those prospects are unwilling to work out for teams later in the lottery. Similarly, Toronto’s lack of a second-round pick has inhibited the team’s ability to bring in some of those lesser-known prospects who could be undrafted free-agent signings for the organization.

Otherwise, though, it’s been business as usual for the Raptors even with so much uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff and the late arrival of head coach Darko Rajaković. Toronto has relied on the Raptors 905 staff to run workouts and the coaching staff hasn’t needed to be involved much throughout the process.

“Usually, we like to have them around and watching and getting their take on the players that are working out. This (year), maybe more than years past, that wasn’t the case,” Tolzman admitted.

Aside from the San Antonio Spurs selecting Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick shortly after 8 p.m. ET, nobody knows much of what else is going to transpire. What’s for sure is the Raptors are prepared. They’re weighing their options when it comes to moving up. But the same can be said about moving down or just making the pick. It’s not helpful insight, but it’s the truth.

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