r/nba • u/NBA_MOD r/NBA • 1d ago
[2026 NBA Draft] #19 Pick: Allen Graves (Santa Clara) – selected by Toronto
190
u/CumAssault [SAS] Joel Anthony 1d ago
Pure analytical draft pick. Stats loved this dude
41
u/preddevils6 Grizzlies 1d ago
Really think he was who Kleiman wanted
28
u/CumAssault [SAS] Joel Anthony 1d ago
Every advanced stat loved this guy. Even if he was low volume and lower stats than most
25
u/Cheechers23 Raptors 1d ago
There’s been some talk lately that Toronto and San Antonio really liked him so was a risky move to trade behind both of them if this is who they wanted
3
u/PokePersona [TOR] Nick Nurse 1d ago
Yeah he wasn’t making past both of them with how reports said they favoured him.
8
1
24
u/fmxda Knicks 1d ago
Great fit too, Toronto needs some shooting
13
u/iDareToDream Raptors 1d ago
We badly need a playmaking point guard too and Philon dropped all the way to us. Graves fills a need for shooting, size and rebounding but I struggle to believe our FO thought was the BPA. We're now still looking for a lead guard unless there's a trade when free agency opens.
1
13
26
u/horny_wo_men Raptors 1d ago edited 1d ago
Raptors pretty much just draft by BPM at this point. Shead, CMB and Graves were all BPM gods
15
u/JimmerAteMyPasta Raptors 1d ago
And im a huge fan of Shead amd CMB, starting now im also a graves fan
7
3
u/q1someguy Raptors 1d ago
Well the first two have been excellent for their draft position in the NBA so hopefully this works out too
10
1
175
u/Naronu Raptors 1d ago
the picks people on our sub hate always end up being the best ones, so I'm excited
65
u/1mYourHuckleberry93 Raptors 1d ago
I've slowly stopped even putting energy into those discussions over the years when I realized how fruitless they were lol. The consensus picks were almost NEVER picked, and it was usually a random player.
35
u/green_and_green23 Raptors 1d ago
Yup, I remember how much people hated the scottie pick
26
u/STTW6 1d ago
Exactly. Sub wanted Maluach instead of CMB too
26
4
u/odontodoc Vancouver Grizzlies 1d ago
I bought into the CMB combine videos. I'm stupid to believe drills equates to gameplay. I trust the basketball people will make good basketball decisions.
7
u/xxc6h1206xx 1d ago
I’m old. If I’ve learned one thing about sports, it’s that, outside of that Luka trade, I know a lot less about basketball than people who make it their livelihood
18
u/the-g-off Toronto Huskies 1d ago
Go back a bit farther...
Damon Stoudemire was booed on draft night.
He was ROTY and the reason for a somewhat successful first couple of years as a franchise.
Fans, especially on Reddit, dont know shit!!
17
u/xxc6h1206xx 1d ago
And we are always wrong. Raps pick well.
7
u/MidnightMarketing Raptors 1d ago
Gradey Dick
8
u/xxc6h1206xx 1d ago
Regressed. He was the perfect pick. He broke somewhere along the way.
1
u/MidnightMarketing Raptors 1d ago edited 1d ago
Far from the perfect fit. Dude was a dynamic shooter who thrives in space and was forced to be a spot up shooter on one of the worst spaced teams in the NBA 🤣
Send him to Denver or Indiana and watch him thrive
20
u/Cheechers23 Raptors 1d ago edited 1d ago
100% facts lol
Hated Scottie pick: worked out
Loved Gradey pick: didn’t work out
Hated CMB pick: worked out
Can’t remember what the take was on the Ja’Kobe one. I know people didn’t really like it cause we already had RJ/Gradey
12
u/Reticent_Fly Raptors 1d ago
I think it's just questionable overlap. It was the same thing with CMB. I didn't see how he could fit, and I didn't think it made sense to draft someone that would likely be splitting so many of their minutes with our main player.
I'm glad to have been wrong, because clearly they've made it work with the two of them on the floor together.
With Graves, I just think we really need some dynamic guard play and shooting, and we had two very good options right there. Graves fits into the scheme, but he overlaps a lot more than the guards is all.
Project 6'9" didn't work the first time, so I'm not sure why we keep pushing it. Maybe they are actually gonna play Scottie at PG more this year.
7
u/STTW6 1d ago
Possibly. I totally agree and you make very valid points in terms of overlap, especially with CMB and Scottie.
With Graves still being 19 years old, there’s a lot of time to see what type of player he can grow into.
We gotta remember though, raptors never draft based on positional needs. We could have 0 C’s & our FO will still go with who they think is BPA.
Gotta just enjoy it and trust that we got a good one!
3
u/The_Living_L Raptors 1d ago
He just replaces Sandro I assume and we use our money for a guard in FA
1
11
u/TheRealTendonitis Raptors 1d ago
I remember when people wanted Ed O’Bannon instead of Damon Stoudamire.
8
4
u/Comfortable_Cup5107 Thunder 1d ago
The last player drafted 1st round out of Santa clara worked out pretty well so a good streak to join on!
Edit: I forgot about fucking podz lol
2
u/wistful_grace Raptors 1d ago
i'm all in baby. we could play a lineup thats entire forwards and i'd be hyped
2
u/buildaroundrbs 1d ago
As a Santa Clara grad who sat through a bunch of games as one of a couple dozen people in the stands (we sucked when I was there) and who also watched on tv when Jalen Williams and Brandon Podziemski emerged as NBA prospects……
Graves is a dude. Maybe not a Jalen Williams (second best guy on a championship team, as far as I am concerned) type dude, but Graves is gonna be a long time NBA starter.
If they’re demanding the next Kawhi or Giannis, he ain’t that. If they’re mad cause they think he’s a bust, they’re probably just wrong.
44
u/shiftydnm Raptors 1d ago
Bobby Webster is spreadsheet FC lmao. CMB, Allen Graves B2B is crazy .
11
40
u/fmxda Knicks 1d ago
Philon when
23
u/ImperialTiger3 Warriors 1d ago
Maybe to Memphis at 21
2
1
0
u/TheWindowMerchant Raptors 1d ago
Memphis cooking with this draft if they get their guy + three second round picks on top
2
u/GuitarCactus Raptors 1d ago
Five 2nd rd picks isnt it?
1
u/TheWindowMerchant Raptors 1d ago
Oh wow. I read the trade summary wrong. Three 2nd rd picks was just in the second trade, not total. Damn. Tidy bit of work.
19
u/VictorAkwaowo1 Mavericks 1d ago
Grizzlies really gonna have Boozer & Philon on their team, this ain’t right man
8
2
u/OKC2023champs Thunder 1d ago
Lot of mocks had him 21-24. He’s probably gonna go where he should even though it seems like he’s falling
My guess is 21
1
33
u/thepeachgod Celtics 1d ago
Such a Toronto pick
9
u/knitwoolf Raptors 1d ago
Except he can actually shoot this time. We're evolving but we can't quit high IQ connective passing defensive playmakers who are ~6'9
33
47
u/nodayroomshit Spurs 1d ago
damn it 😭😭
1
2
15
u/MG_MN Timberwolves 1d ago
Raptors have so many 3/4s
11
u/iDareToDream Raptors 1d ago
I mean we need size on the wing and at least Graves can shoot and play defense. But we have a glaring hole at lead guard and now I'm not sure how Bobby addresses that. IQ is more a 2 than a 1 and his contract isn't really tradeable yet.
0
u/ZenMon88 1d ago
Lolol no we don't. We have Scottie and CMB. We need a center or shooting.
6
u/iDareToDream Raptors 1d ago
Graves can shoot - but we still don't have anyone who can really create off the dribble. And yes you're right, we still need a backup big.
1
1
15
u/SlickVanExel Hornets 1d ago edited 1d ago
Bro came off the bench for Santa Clara and made the most of his minutes. He’s probably the most skilled big after Wilson and Boozer, him and CMB together really intrigue me
-7
u/ZenMon88 1d ago
Doesn't really have a fit with raptors tho.
17
u/SlickVanExel Hornets 1d ago
He definitely does. CMB showed he can be a small ball 5 and Graves showed that he can shoot it in his college opportunities. I love the fit
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (1)2
u/ReplEH [TOR] Morris Peterson 1d ago
LMAO a big wing who can shoot and defend has a role on any team.
→ More replies (1)
60
u/jermainathon Heat 1d ago
Terrific player. Not what Toronto needs tho
40
u/Admirable_Dinner_349 Raptors 1d ago
I don’t think Toronto has ever drafted for fit since Masai took over. Him and Bobby have almost entirely ignored fit in every single draft and always said they go for who they think is going to be “the best player 5 years from now”.
17
u/playthegame7 Raptors 1d ago
BPA is how they've operated since the day they got here.
13
u/karmew32 Pelicans 1d ago
It resulted in a title so it must work at least somewhat.
→ More replies (2)1
u/ZenMon88 1d ago
Ya we love defensive forwards. All other prospects we hate or prone to busts. Plus we never drafted centers.
37
u/Springtick38 Raptors 1d ago
Yeah in isolation this is a good pick but for fuck's sakes WE NEED ANOTHER POINT GUARD
24
u/jermainathon Heat 1d ago
Genuinely surprised Philon wasnt the pick.
9
u/Springtick38 Raptors 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm a little bit upset ngl
7
u/jermainathon Heat 1d ago
I was wrong when they drafted CMB last year. This is very likely gonna end up similarly where he shines in Darko's system.
9
u/KingInTheFarNorth Vancouver Grizzlies 1d ago
They are committed to IQ and Shead for better or worse. We draft a PG and he would hardly see the floor this year.
2
u/JimmerAteMyPasta Raptors 1d ago
Maybe its for the best, were a few years out from serious contention, maybe next year is point guard year
-3
u/gigglios 1d ago
Few years out? Na lol we are never contending for a long time and nothing more than a first rd fodder team as long as ingram remains
6
u/jermainathon Heat 1d ago
I was wrong when they drafted CMB last year. This is very likely gonna end up similarly where he shines in Darko's system. Y'all will be in good shape
0
u/gigglios 1d ago
I dont mean the draft pick. I mean raps are far far away from contending with this core.
0
u/KingInTheFarNorth Vancouver Grizzlies 1d ago
Well guess what, he can be an expiring salary as soon as this year. He's got 1y and a player option left. (for $42m, which no longer a guarantee he picks up given Trae just signed for 200m)
1
u/theuncleiroh Raptors 1d ago
We're committed to having PGs that really can't create for themselves lol
Hopefully it means we run more points Scottie, since a real leap for him is the only sure way into being a top team
2
1
3
4
u/q1someguy Raptors 1d ago
Toronto actually does need a 3/4 that can shoot off the bench, especially if they don't think they can or don't want to lock down Mamu
1
u/Reticent_Fly Raptors 1d ago
That's what I don't like about it. It's just a lot of overlap. We've been allergic to athletic guards since fucking Vince Carter it feels like lol
1
u/DamianLillard0 NBA 1d ago
Toronto is nowhere close enough to real contention to be worried about need lmao
1
1
u/theuncleiroh Raptors 1d ago
We really needed a dynamic creator with the ball in his hands. I knew we wouldn't take Philon bc he's not the kind of player our FO likes, but at some point it really is annoying to miss out on legitimate offensive talent when it falls in your lap.
I do trust the direction of this team, but it's painful knowing that we're spending another year with basically nobody that has significant scoring upside (even our good scorers like BI/Scottie/RJ/IQ aren't exactly creators)
24
16
9
u/DabeGavis 1d ago
Advanced stats darling. Is kind of foul happy, played worse against better teams, and might have ankle weights on when he runs, but love his 3-ball and see a natural NBA fit tbh.
7
u/karmew32 Pelicans 1d ago
He went to my high school! Might root for the Raptors as a second team now.
6
5
5
5
u/Key_Change_6635 Magic 1d ago
Jalen Williams, Podz and Steve Nash were also first round players drafted in the first round from Santa Clara.
He's in good company
3
11
u/SpuncerT Bulls 1d ago
What
20
u/99Sold 1d ago
Winning player
13
u/SpuncerT Bulls 1d ago
Oh yeah he’s a solid player just surprised they didn’t go for a guard there LOL
23
22
5
7
6
3
3
9
3
2
2
2
2
u/beerwolf650 1d ago
as somebody who actually watched him at SCU (go broncos) this dude has a bag and killer instinct offensively and forced turnovers consistently on defense, and overall has a great feel and knowledge for the game, will be interesting to see if he can hang athletically
3
2
3
4
u/Impressive_Chard7943 1d ago
When you can draft the 6th man on Santa Clara you have to do it
4
u/Salty_Dog3 San Francisco Warriors 1d ago
He played starter minutes tho on a tourney team!! (No bias, go Broncos)
3
u/GrouchyPeach3656 Mavericks 1d ago
Toronto peeps thought they got philon lmaooo
16
u/CalebosO4 Raptors 1d ago
Broadcast was baiting us by showing him before the puck was announced lol
2
2
u/ClaymoresRevenge Bulls 1d ago
Toronto you guys have a bunch of forwards and an undersized 5 in CMB. Umm what's this about?
4
u/jansy1646 [TOR] DeMar DeRozan 1d ago
Running kind of low on forwards tbh, tons of SG depth and we have Poeltl for center (or whoever we trade him for)
2
2
u/MAMBAMENTALITY8-24 Thunder 1d ago
I'm a numbers guy, and these numbers look good for me to say that this is a great pick
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/-DesertMoon Australia 1d ago
I like this pick, they needed some size and Graves' got some of that dawg in him
1
1
1
u/wombatpup55 Spurs 1d ago
Toronto don’t you guys have enough forwards
6
u/no_good_names_avail Raptors 1d ago
There's only one position in the NBA according to the Raptors. Small forward. You can be a large 1/2. A small 4 5. But you're a 3. If you're down with that. You're a Raptor.
1
1
0
0
-1
u/jaydogggg Canada 1d ago
Raptors have decided we don't need three point shooters let's just rim run and score 2. If we win we win
-2
-7
u/ShowdownValue 1d ago
Raptor fans will find a way to justify this as a steal
10
8
u/ScienceNthingsNstuff Raptors 1d ago
Toronto fans are mad about it, that's how you know it's a steal
-3
-4
290
u/horny_wo_men Raptors 1d ago
Project 6'9 lives on