NBA Draft 2017: Top 10 ranking of potential Raptors picks at no. 23

Earlier today I wrote on why the Raps should be looking to trade this pick, but if Masai Ujiri and co. choose to keep the pick and add another young piece to the Raptors’ roster, here’s my top 10 list of targets they should or could select with the 23rd pick.

10. Tyler Lydon - 6’10 PF, Syracuse Orange

9. TJ Leaf - 6’10 PF, UCLA Bruins

Tall, white, and handsome? Please no.

8. Jordan Bell - 6’9 PF, Oregon Ducks

I called him “Dollar Store Draymond” earlier, and will stand by it. He was a blast to watch in the Ducks run to the Final Four, and does all the dirty and defensive work you need without a volatile temper.

7. Derrick White - 6’5 PG/SG, Colorado Buffaloes

He’s Harsh Dave’s boy, has been rising up draft boards rapidly. Read the great Matt Norlander on his unique road to this point.

6. Bam Adebayo - 6’10 PF/C, Kentucky Wildcats

Bam’s got a fantastic name, rebounds like a machine, and can provide rim protection while also being effective guarding the pick-and-roll. Sign me up.

5. Terrance Ferguson - 6’7 SG/SF, Adelaide 36ers

Also a guy who spurned the NCAA to go pro for a year before declaring for the draft, he is the second coming of another Terrence we watched for the past four seasons.

4. Jonah Bolden - 6’10 PF, Radnicki Basket

Bolden probably wouldn’t be generally mocked in multiple places between the late 20s and mid 30s had he stayed at UCLA and played with Lonzo Ball this past season. He would’ve looked even better with the national spotlight shining bright. The Aussie played professionally in Serbia, and has the stretch four game we all know and love (as told by NBA Twitter).

3. Semi Ojeleye - 6’7 SF/PF, SMU Mustangs

He’s basically Anunoby with a smaller wingspan, but a better three point shot. Could most likely step into the rotation and start contributing from day one. He’s also got the body of a Greek god, if that’s of interest to you.

2. Harry Giles - 6’11 C, Duke Blue Devils

There has been a ton written across the web about avoiding Giles due to the medical history, but he could end up as the steal of the draft for a team picking in the late teens or early twenties. Giles still possesses a lot of tantalizing potential. Listening to the Russillo Show as I write this, Jay Bilas said that Giles “was Chris Webber in High School, and would be a top five pick if he had been healthy all year.” The Raps may luck into a game changer if they grab Giles.

1. O.G. Anunoby - 6’8 SF/PF, Indiana Hoosiers

Anunoby lost much of last season to a knee injury, but he’s one of the most versatile defensive weapons in the draft, and if he somehow falls to the Raptors at 23 I would consider it an absolute steal. If he regains his full athletic form, the rest of the league better look the F out:

Am I right or wrong on this? Let us know in the comments!