Ranking the best draft picks in franchise history
From Andrea Bargnani to Pascal Siakam the Raptors have had a storied draft history.
With the season on hold, what better way to keep the Raptors in the front of your mind, then to rank Raptors draft picks.
Let’s start from the top.
The top five Raptors draft picks in franchise history.
- Demar Derozan
Arguably the greatest Raptor of all time DeMar DeRozan was drafted by the Raps in 2009 with the number nine pick.
DeRozan would go on to play nine seasons for the Raptors.
Starting from the very bottom DeMar would become the star the Raptors needed in order to grow the franchise.
A gym rat, DeRozan improved ever year and became the face of the franchise.
Leading the Raptors to multiple playoff appearances DeRozan put his blood sweat and tears into the franchise and a championship would not have been possible with DeRozan.
Playing 675 games for the franchise averaging 19 points per game in his tenure, scoring over 13,000 points for the franchise
2. Vince Carter
“With the 4th overall pick in the 1998 nba draft the Toronto Raptors select…. Antawn Jamison.”
As most fans know the Raptors would trade Jamison to the Golden State Warriors on draft night for North Carolina standout Vince Carter.
In an era where the Raptors were a relative unknown, Vince Carter was the right player in the place at the right time.
Vince Carter put basketball on the map in Canada, with his highlight reel dunks and electrifying play.
Most known for his performance at the 2000 NBA slam dunk contest Carter was the first Raptors star to be loved globally.
Playing 7 seasons for the Raptors, Carter was a six time all-star averaging 23 ppg in his tenure.
Carter played 403 games in his Raptors career and will have his number retired by the Raptors one day, if does he ever retire.
3. Pascal Siakam
With the 26th pick in the 2016 NBA draft the Raptors found a diamond in the rough.
Siakam was relatively unknown, but the Raptors saw amazing potential in him.
Developing quickly Siakam has become a star.
Winning the NBA’s most improved player last season, Siakam has flourished this season in his new role as the Raptors go to player.
Being named an all-star starter this season Sikam is only scratching the surface of his potential.
In his short tenure with the Raptors Siakam is shaping up to go down as one of the Raptor greats.
4. Chris Bosh
With the 4th overall pick in the star studded 2003 draft class the Raptors drafted star power forward Chris Bosh.
Bosh was the star that started the turn around for the Raptors. Playing seven seasons for the Raptors, Bosh was an all-star 5 times.
Averaging 20 ppg and 9 rebounds during his tenure, Bosh played 509 games for the franchise.
Bosh is a guaranteed hall of famer and will go down as one of the greatest Raptors of all time.
5. Tracy McGrady
This will certainly be the most controversial of the five, but had McGrady stayed with the Raptors the franchises history could have been a lot different.
The Raptors drafted McGrady with the 9th overall pick in the 1997 draft.
McGrady only played three seasons for the Raptors, averaging just eleven points per game in his tenure.
So why would he be on this list?
Well the answer is short, McGrady is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
While he did not reach that level with Toronto, McGrady, was over shadowed during his tenure by his cousin Vince’s rise to star dome.
This can be quickly proven when McGrady left in 2000 and quickly became an all-star with the Orlando Magic.
McGrady needed to be the focal point in order to turn that corner, but many have speculated including McGrady himself about what could have been if he had stayed in Toronto.
The dynamic duo of Carter and McGrady could of been one of the best duos in NBA history…
