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Conventional wisdom suggests that the Toronto Raptors should take a power forward in this year’s NBA draft; the position is currently filled with role players, free agents, flawed players and the chronically injured. Luckily, there are lots of power forwards projected to go late in the first round or early in the second. I’ve looked at a number of players, and I imagine the Raptors’ scouting staff has done the same.
One name I haven’t mentioned is UNLV star Christian Wood, who is scheduled to work out for the Raptors in the near future. Wood might fall several spots below the Raptors’ pick at No. 20, and thus be worth trading down for, but there’s no doubt he’s an intriguing player.
Wood is an interesting combination of the Raptors’ two power forwards this season. He has the ability to run the break and finish around the basket like Amir Johnson, and has shown the potential to space the floor like Patrick Patterson. He’s also taller and has a longer wingspan (7’3″) than either of these players. On the downside, Wood has a very slight build. He’s not unhealthily skinny, but he’s probably a player who will have to fill out before he makes a real impact in the NBA.
Perhaps, as a skinny guy that likes to play basketball, it’s my bias talking, but I think the weight issue is no big concern. Plenty of players in the league offset their lack of weight with increased quickness, and have better conditioning in the long run. Wood’s other catalogued weaknesses–namely, inconsistent defense and poor passing ability–are fixable to me. He’s a young player; young players can be taught defense, and young players struggle with passing all the time. Wood was just 17 years old as a freshman, and barely played in that season. He’s essentially a one-and-done guy, and those players develop playmaking skill in the NBA all the time.
Again, if the Raptors are really impressed with Wood, they might want to trade down in the draft instead of using the No. 20 pick on him. On the other hand, if Wood is really impressive in workouts he might just jump up to the early 20s on other teams’ draft boards. He’s got plenty of upside, and ultimately I think that’s what Raptors management looks for in their draft picks.
Casey Sherman is the Toronto Raptors Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @shermham
