The biggest thing the Raptor brass – and they are all here, coaches, scouts, everybody – will be looking for is overall talent. They have had guys out scouting these kids in games all winter but it’s hard to really get a handle on how quick they are or their shooting form and ball-handling skills when you’re sitting in the stands watching. Maybe they go see a college kid and he gets two fouls in the first four minutes and has to sit down for the rest of the half. Maybe they’re in Europe when a guy has a horrible game.

You really can’t get a good look scouting like that, or from tape.

So they’ll run them through myriad drills, defensive and offensive, and just watch.

This is now the age of draft disinformation, teams don’t like to let on who they like or what they’ll do lest some other team make a pre-emptive strike. You’ll hear this guy was okay and that guy has to work on this or that; you’re not going to hear full honesty any time between now and draft night.

The kids will say they see themselves as a good fit in Toronto; they’ll say they’re a good fit in any city they’re in, actually.

To all who’ve asked: The only guy on the Detroit roster Toronto should be interested in – if Joe Dumars is going to undergo a big makeover – would be Antonio McDyess.

I know Bryan tried to obtain McDyess in the middle of the 2006-07 season for a package centred around Mo Pete; maybe he makes the same offer with AP as the guy?

- Toronto Star

In particular, the Raptors with the 17th pick have little to look at but upside. It’s one thing perhaps to look more closely at “who the sure thing is” if the team has a top three pick…but at 17? Toronto could be drafting the next Josh Smith or the next Zarko Cabarkapa (both 17th picks in 2004 and 2003 respectively.)
My point is that the draft is all about potential, and which teams and their management can get the best read on it. Yes, scouting has a lot to do with teams’ success (look at Detroit, San Antonio and the Lakers, teams that have consistently refueled their tanks via the draft) but sometimes players just don’t work out for one reason or another. The Raptors have seen this many a time and as a perfect example, Joey Graham looked to have all the tools to be a solid pro, yet is probably a year or two away from being out of the league.

- RaptorsHQ

I find it very hard to get excited. These kids will come here put out an effort which will equal the interest they have in the Raptors. There’s always the incentive to get drafted higher and get paid more but players have known to target teams and obviously vice-versa is true too. Toronto would be a good place for a swingman to get drafted because of our wide open starting 3 spot. Jamario Moon is no lock to get that spot back and there will be open competition for it come training camp leaving room for a talented rookie to make his mark.

- Arsenalist

Bryan Colangelo is on record saying up to 40 hopeful draftees will make their way to Toronto. The 2 big names on the list so far would be Chris Douglas-Roberts( Memphis ) and Robin Lopez ( Standford ) . Both have been names that fans and media have suggested might be good choices for Raptors at 17. The Raptors as of this moment do not hold a second round pick but clearly some on this list are not guys pegged for the first round so the Raptors are doing their homework just in case they do acquire a pick in the second round.

- Dino Nation Blog

17. Toronto Raptors select Donte Greene, Syracuse forward: At nearly 6-foot-10, Greene is a very intriguing player because of his versatility. He has the tools to become an above-average defender as well.

- Bleacher Report

Calderon may be the fan pick to lead the Raptors next year, but the most die-hard Calderon guy would concede his defensive quickness is lacking.

- Dropping Dimes

Another point guard who may be available is Raptor’s T.J. Ford.  The Raptor’s will likely choose between Ford or Jose Calderon as their future point.  To get Calderon it would probably take Ben Gordon, but Ford could be traded for Andres Nocioni, who would be a good fit for their roster.

- BullsHome.com