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2015 NBA Draft: 5 Best Fits For Toronto Raptors

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NBA Draft: 5 Best Fits for the Toronto Raptors

Trey Lyles
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The Raptors pick No. 20 overall in this year's draft, which doesn't exactly scream excitement. However, GM Masai Ujiri prides himself in finding "diamonds in the rough", and I thus expect him to take this pick very seriously. For this list, I tried to rank based on a mix of a) talent, b) fit with the Raptors and c) the likelihood that they will still be available when the Raps' pick rolls around.

5. Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA

Kevon Looney UCLA
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5. Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA

Kevon Looney UCLA
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The Raptors need a PF pretty dearly, and mock drafts have Looney ranked consistently near 20. So in theory it's a good pick. I'm not sold that his three-point shooting will translate to the NBA, though. Yes, he shot 42 percent on threes this year, but he was 22-for-53 in total. Steph Curry shoots more threes in a single playoff series. On the flip side, Looney is young and has plenty of upside.

4. Aleksandar Vezenkov, SF, Cyprus

Aleksandar Vezenkov
Eurosport.com

4. Aleksandar Vezenkov, SF, Cyprus

Aleksandar Vezenkov
Eurosport.com

Vezenkov would be a bit of a reach, and the Raptors fanbase might explode if Ujiri makes a pick like this after last year's selection of Bruno Caboclo. But for better or for worse, the Raptors tend to go for international prospects, and this guy has some real potential. He has professional experience playing in the Euroleague and is also just 19. From what I can tell, he plays the game with passion, which you always like to see in a prospect.

3. Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky

NCAA Men's Final Four Trey Lyles
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3. Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky

NCAA Men's Final Four Trey Lyles
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He's a power forward, he's Canadian and he can shoot the basketball. So if he's available at at No. 20, I wouldn't knock this selection at all. That's just the issue, however: I doubt Lyles will fall down to 20, and I don't understand why he gets mentioned in so much Raptors draft speculation because of this. But there's an outside chance, so I put him on here.

2. Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia

Justin Anderson Virginia
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2. Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia

Justin Anderson Virginia
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Very few prospects have both NBA size and strength coupled with outside shooting ability, and the few who do usually get taken in the lottery. Yet here we are, and Anderson is lounging around the late first round in mock drafts. The Raptors should pounce all over this pick, as it would give them something they haven't had since Rudy Gay was traded: legitimate size at small forward.

1. Jarell Martin, LSU

LSU Jarell Martin
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1. Jarell Martin, PF, LSU

LSU Jarell Martin
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Here's another guy who's typically ranked well below 20 in mock drafts, and thus will almost certainly be available for the Raptors. I may be crazy on this beat, but I think Martin has more talent than pretty much anyone in the 15-20 range of current draft boards. He shoots, he dunks and moves tremendously for his position. He's the diamond in the rough Ujiri should scout out, and he's the power forward the Raptors need for the future.

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