Who Ya Got? The Raptors HQ 2015 Draft Wishlist Roundtable

Draft coverage has been coming in strong over the past couple of weeks here at Raptors HQ. The Raptors taking Bruno Caboclo with the 20th overall pick last year hasn't deterred people from doing their deep research on this year's draft crop. Based on Masai Ujiri's comments yesterday (grain of salt alert), it sounds as if this year's pick won't come out of left field. Daniel Hackett was kind enough to write a series of Fan Posts previewing the list of prospects (PGs, SGs, SFs) potentially available at the Raptors' draft slot.

Here's the carefully curated list of prospects that should be available at no. 20:

Naturally, the Raptors aren't talented enough to worry about "fit." But given the holes on the roster, there are a number of directions Masai and the front office could go. I asked some of the HQ staff to give me their thoughts on how the Raptors should approach this draft.

1) What position do you think the Raptors should look to address with the 20th pick?

Joshua Santos: If the 2014-15 playoffs showed anything, it's that the Raptors need to add more perimeter defense and front court help but with a lonesome 20th pick, the Raps won't be able to address all those issues. Though the Raps front court was torn down tremendously against the Wiz, the team's backcourt was exposed defensively. Masai should prioritize adding a perimeter defender who can add immediate impact and can be a pass-first facilitator however if he's unable to find a guard/wing he likes, he should get a strong, athletic big to the front court rotation.

Sean Woodley: The Raptors have a lot of holes, but none bigger than the one Amir Johnson is about to leave at the power forward spot. With such shaky perimeter defenders on the roster (another position they could look to fill in the draft, by the way), it's imperative to have excellent help defense on the interior. Jonas Valanciunas might build on the flashes he showed this year and become a solid rim protector, but even if he does, the Raptors are lacking guys who can clean up inside. Power forward is the place to address if the right guy is available.

John Gaudes: Late in the first round is when the guesswork tends to begin with NBA management - getting the best player available isn't always clear cut. This year, though, there could be some cross-over between the best player on the board and positions the Raptors need to fill. Given that Amir Johnson and Tyler Hansbrough could be on their way out and guys like Kevon Looney and Montrezl Harrell have been projected to be there at 20, I'd like to see them get some depth at the forward spot.

Daniel Reynolds: I know this is going to sound reductive, but the Raptors really should just go for the most talented player available. There are a bunch of multi-tool wing/forward players--their position of greatest need--who should be available around the 20th pick, just grab the presumptive best one and be happy. Over-thinking it usually leads to disaster. (Cue the Ross-over-Drummond chorus, to name just one such situation.)

2) Rank the top 5 prospects in the list above in terms of fit for the Raptors

So on the Raptors HQ wish-lists, Bobby Portis, RHJ and Montrezl Harrell appear five out of six times. We also have some interested sprinkled in for Kevon Looney, Jerian Grant, and Justin Anderson. Overall, it looks as if even within the somewhat limited field of players available, the Raptors should be looking at finding the best player available. The Raptors' defensive struggles also seem to be etched into our brains subconsciously, as many of the players we've chosen have a strong defensive pedigree or have flashed promising defensive potential.

What do you all think?