The Raptors possessed the No. 19 selection on Monday and chose Santa Clara wing Allen Graves, a player they had been hoping would be available and who multiple sources had indicated was high on their board, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.
Among other things, Graves impressed them with his steal rate and knack for offensive rebounding. He also converted 41.3 percent of his three-point shots as a freshman.
“As a player, he’s a high-processor, two-way player, wins the possession game, I think, on both ends of the floor,” Raptors executive vice president Bobby Webster said. “Obviously, a developing player as well, just played one year of college, so he’ll have the usual and typical adjustment to NBA pace, speed, quickness. But sort of a young prospect that we think does a few things really well on the defensive end, and then offensively, obviously shooting, feel for the game. So we thought we got one of the better two-way players in the draft.”
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- The Sixers used the No. 22 pick on Alabama guard Labaron Philon. It was a much-needed boost to a backcourt that was depleted when the club traded Jared McCain to the Thunder, Tony Jones of The Athletic writes. “He was pretty high on our board,” new Sixers president Mike Gansey said. “We were surprised he was there. He’s dynamic. He can play on or off the ball. He can score, and he can pass. He was the focal point of Alabama’s offense, and they played in the SEC, so he was playing against great athletes every night. He plays with an edge and a swag. He plays with some toughness.” Philon expects to make an immediate impact. “I want to come in and take pressure off Tyrese (Maxey) and VJ (Edgecombe),” Philon said. “I think we have a chance to have a special season coming up. With Joel Embiid and Paul George, we have a great roster. I believe that I can play at a high level, and that I’m going to be able to get into the paint and create shots.”
- After dealing Trae Young to the Wizards, the Hawks created a long-term hole at the point. They filled it with Kingston Flemings, the No. 8 pick in the draft. The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Michael Cunningham opines that Flemings is unlikely to become an elite play-maker like Young but says that he’s a good passer, provides better size and athleticism, and will be a better NBA defender than Young. Flemings is the prize Atlanta received when New Orleans gave away an unprotected first-rounder during last season’s draft night trade. “He’s just the ultimate competitor, especially at his position,” president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh said of Flemings. “Point-of-attack defender. Really high-level offensive player, super-efficient. The guy can just do a little bit of everything.”
- The Hornets had a pair of top 20 picks and grabbed University of Washington center Hannes Steinbach at No. 14 and Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson at No. 18. “Best rebounder in the draft,” president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson said of Steinbach, per Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer. “He’s someone who is just continuously trying to get better. He’s very skilled, a very high IQ player. He fits us from a DNA standpoint.” Anderson will fortify their backcourt. “One of the best shooters in the draft,” Peterson said of the No. 18 pick. “He shot about 40% on three, just right under eight attempts a game. Shoots them off the balance, catch-and-shoot, spot ups — just in various ways. And then his IQ as well. He’s one of the best pick-and-roll players in the draft, too. Does a tremendous job of valuing the ball.”
- The Bulls selected Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain in the first round. President of basketball operations Bryson Graham is focused on establishing a defensive identity and those picks were made in large part with that in mind, Jay Cohen of The Associated Press writes. “The fastest way to find playing time and opportunity is on the defensive side of the ball,” Graham said. “So as Dailyn comes in and as Caleb comes in, I’m looking for them to be tone-setters on that side of the floor and be pillars for this organization going forward.”
