The Toronto Raptors had just the No. 5 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, making assessing a grade quite easy.
NBA Draft Grades 2011: Toronto Raptors Press Pause With Jonas Valanciunas
Gained: Jonas Valanciunas.
Gave up: Nada.
Synopsis: Valanciunas is probably the best center on the board, and maybe the best prospect. He’s only 19 and it’ll take a lot of development and some luck, but he has the tools to be a great NBA center.
Unfortunately, the Raptors won’t be able to start that development for another year, as the Lithuanian will apparently be stuck in a European contract until 2012-13. That means that the Raptors will likely suffer another losing season before getting a first glimpse at this prized rookie, and which means Jonas will be old news by the time the 2012 NBA Draft comes around.
But patience is generally rewarded in the NBA, and it should be here. It would have been a lot easier to pick a more instant-impact player like Kemba Walker; picking the kid you literally have to wait on take resolve.
Grade: A.
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