The Toronto Raptors are coming off a disappointing season where they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012/13. That meant the Raptors had several picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, including the fourth overall selection.
Many people expected them to select Gonzaga star Jalen Suggs, but Toronto went in a different direction and nabbed Florida State standout Scottie Barnes Jr. The Raptors also had two picks at No. 46 and 47, taking two guards in Dalano Blanton and David Johnson.
Here are individual grades for each Raptors pick.
Scottie Barnes Jr, PF, Florida State
Grade: B+
Barnes played his lone college season with the Seminoles and showcased an impressive skillset. The 19-year-old averaged 10.3 points, 4.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 50.3 percent from the field. While his numbers don't pop off the page, he's versatile enough to contribute right away for the Raptors.
At 6 foot 9 with a wingspan over seven feet, Barnes has the body of a power forward. But, his ball-handling and ability to run the offense, as he did at Florida State, are more like a guard. He won ACC Rookie of the Year for FSU and was arguably their best player. Barnes really thrives as a rebounder and playmaker. He has a special eye for dishing dimes and getting his teammates involved, which is a huge positive for the Raptors. However, unlike most rookies, Barnes really flourishes as a defender. Thanks to his combination of size, athleticism, and quickness, the 19-year-old is capable of defending most positions on the floor.
There is a reason this pick is just a B+, though. Barnes is not much of a scorer. His jump shot needs work, draining just 27.5% of his threes and 62% of his free throws. In a shooter-friendly league like the NBA, this is an aspect of his game that must drastically improve if he's going to be a legitimate force at the next level.
But, with development, Barnes has the opportunity to be the full package. With Pascal Siakam likely to miss time at the beginning of next season as he recovers from shoulder surgery, Barnes should get starting minutes for the Raptors. We'll see what he can do with them.
Dalano Banton, PG, Nebraska
Grade: C+
Banton made history on draft night, becoming the first Canadian ever selected by the Raptors in the NBA Draft. But, he will face an uphill battle to actually be a member of Toronto's roster. The 6 foot 9 guard started his collegiate career at Western Kentucky, then transferred to Nebraska. In 2020/21, Banton averaged 9.6 points, 4.9 boards, and 3.9 assists per contest for the Cornhuskers. However, he did shoot under 30% from three-point range.
Banton's best trait that definitely opened eyes in the Raptors' organization is his playmaking. He really has a good feel for dishing out assists in the smallest pockets of space, which is definitely important for a guard. While he does possess good size, Banton is quite slender at just 220 lbs. With his jump shot a work in progress, he tends to generate most of his offense inside. But in the NBA, he will have a tough time doing so against much bigger and stronger players.
This is by no means a bad pick. After all, the Raptors struck gold with Norman Powell in the second round. Toronto has a relatively congested backcourt right now though and you'll probably see Banton in the G-League. But, if he shines, the Toronto native could get a chance.
David Johnson, SG, Louisville
Grade: C
Johnson played a vital role for the Cardinals last season, playing 35.1 minutes per game while posting 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per night. Standing at 6 foot 5, the shooting guard has impressive bounce, showing the ability to rise above and get aggressive at the rim. There was also some promise in his efficiency from long range, draining 38% of his attempts. Defensively, the 20-year-old shows promise with a high motor and solid athleticism.
But, considering the huge number of minutes that he actually played for Louisville, he didn't do a ton. Johnson only took around four 3's per game and rarely got to the free-throw line (2.1 times per contest). Johnson also had 3.2 turnovers a night, which is definitely a cause for concern. For a guard, he doesn't have great facilitating skills either. Johnson will definitely take some polishing with the Raptors in the G-League.
Overall grade: B
The Raptors did well with Barnes. He will take some time to develop, but there is a solid chance he proves to be a key piece of the rotation. Banton and Johnson are dicey, but they definitely have shown promise at the collegiate level and could be a part of the future down the road.
The 2021 NBA Draft should be considered a success for the Toronto Raptors.
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