2019 NBA Draft: Top 3 players for Toronto Raptors to pick with 59th pick
By Trevor Marks
2. Darius Bazley, 6-9 forward, New Balance
Bazley accepted an internship with New Balance this year, opting to follow an untraditional route instead of enrolling at Syracuse like he initially planned to following his commitment or even participating in the NBA G-League which was floated around as a possibility. Bazley’s case is a strange one, since he wasn’t largely viewed as a one-and-done option, but yet here we are.
At 6-9 with intriguing athleticism, Bazley poses as a lottery ticket in the second round with his mix of length, athleticism and ball skills as a forward. Given his combine measurements (7-0 wingspan, 8-11 standing reach), he could slot in at either forward spots (although he’s likely a ‘4’ in the NBA), which makes him an interesting option for teams with mid- to late-second round picks.
Obviously, Bazley is a pretty tough evaluation due to such limited tape, as is a result of staying away from competitive basketball for a full year. That made his appearance at the NBA Draft Combine so crucial for scouts and executives, since it gave them a chance to finally see him up close.
Despite being relatively quiet in his first scrimmage (seven points and five rebounds), Bazley bounced back strongly on the second day, scoring 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting while flashing shifty handles and notable, fluid athleticism.
He’s still pretty raw and inexperienced, and taking a year off of basketball isn’t ideal for any young man hoping to make it to the NBA, but the flashes are enticing. Getting a big forward with ball skills and athleticism, as well as the potential to shoot and defend a little, is a worthwhile bet for the Raptors so late in the draft. Bazley would spend major — meaning, all — minutes down with the Raptors 905 of the G-League, where he’d be tasked with adding strength and improving his current skill set. He won’t be a Day 1 contributor, but he’s a solid option at No. 59 with future upside.