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The Toronto Raptors are four days away from the June 23 NBA Draft, where general manager Bobby Webster and the front office will have an opportunity to add to a roster coming off its first playoff appearance since 2022.
Toronto holds the 19th and 50th overall picks, and with expectations rising after a 46-win season and a competitive first-round series against Cleveland, the draft represents another important step in the franchise’s push back toward contention.
Vice president of basketball operations Dan Tolzman addressed the media Tuesday during his annual pre-draft press conference, offering insight into how the Raptors are approaching this year’s class.
Tolzman made it clear that Toronto’s philosophy has not changed, regardless of where the team is selecting.
“Regardless of what position the team is in, we’ve always taken the same approach of trying to get the best player that’s there on the list,” Tolzman said. “If it can line up with what the team needs at that time positionally, or depth-wise, that’s the best case scenario.”
Tolzman’s comments do not come as a surprise since this is a strategy that has long guided the Raptors’ front office. Rather than drafting strictly based on positional need, the franchise usually prioritizes overall talent and upside, using roster fit as a secondary consideration. It is why the Raptors have been linked to prospects at multiple positions throughout the pre-draft process.
Tolzman also highlighted the traits the organization values beyond pure basketball ability.
“There’s definitely a certain type of player that we look for in terms of being able to impact both sides of the ball, offence, defence,” Tolzman said. “From there, we try to get guys that are good characters. They bring the level of toughness to not only the game, but also to the work they put in before the game, like in practice, and in the weight room, and all that sort of stuff.”
Two-way versatility, character and work ethic have become staples of Toronto’s evaluation process. Those qualities were frequently cited during the draft journeys of players such as Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles, both of whom arrived with reputations as high-motor competitors capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.
As for the players likely to be available at picks 19 and 50, Tolzman acknowledged that many are still in the early stages of their development.
“So many of these guys we’ll be looking at 19 and 50, they’re just scratching the surface of what they can be, but it’s going to be on them to get to those next levels,” he said.
With the draft approaching, the front office’s search is entering its final stages and the Raptors will hope to make the most of this draft class
Continue reading...
Toronto holds the 19th and 50th overall picks, and with expectations rising after a 46-win season and a competitive first-round series against Cleveland, the draft represents another important step in the franchise’s push back toward contention.
Vice president of basketball operations Dan Tolzman addressed the media Tuesday during his annual pre-draft press conference, offering insight into how the Raptors are approaching this year’s class.
Tolzman made it clear that Toronto’s philosophy has not changed, regardless of where the team is selecting.
“Regardless of what position the team is in, we’ve always taken the same approach of trying to get the best player that’s there on the list,” Tolzman said. “If it can line up with what the team needs at that time positionally, or depth-wise, that’s the best case scenario.”
Tolzman’s comments do not come as a surprise since this is a strategy that has long guided the Raptors’ front office. Rather than drafting strictly based on positional need, the franchise usually prioritizes overall talent and upside, using roster fit as a secondary consideration. It is why the Raptors have been linked to prospects at multiple positions throughout the pre-draft process.
Tolzman also highlighted the traits the organization values beyond pure basketball ability.
“There’s definitely a certain type of player that we look for in terms of being able to impact both sides of the ball, offence, defence,” Tolzman said. “From there, we try to get guys that are good characters. They bring the level of toughness to not only the game, but also to the work they put in before the game, like in practice, and in the weight room, and all that sort of stuff.”
Two-way versatility, character and work ethic have become staples of Toronto’s evaluation process. Those qualities were frequently cited during the draft journeys of players such as Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles, both of whom arrived with reputations as high-motor competitors capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.
As for the players likely to be available at picks 19 and 50, Tolzman acknowledged that many are still in the early stages of their development.
“So many of these guys we’ll be looking at 19 and 50, they’re just scratching the surface of what they can be, but it’s going to be on them to get to those next levels,” he said.
With the draft approaching, the front office’s search is entering its final stages and the Raptors will hope to make the most of this draft class
Continue reading...
