A Royal Pain
Fansided

2017 NBA First Round Mock Draft 2.0

By Tyler Watts

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey (left) talks with Raptors guard Cory Joseph (right) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Raptors won 101-84. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey (left) talks with Raptors guard Cory Joseph (right) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Raptors won 101-84. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

23. Toronto Raptors (via LA Clippers)- Jonathan Jeanne- C- Nancy (International)

The Toronto Raptors are at a crossroads with their team.  The frustration of another playoff exit has Toronto wanting to make changes.  Kyle Lowry is headed to free agency along with Serge Ibaka, P.J. Tucker, and Patrick Patterson.  This Raptors squad could look very different come opening night next season.

I expect the Raptors to select a big man with this pick.  With every season, it appears more evident that the team does not want Jonas Valanciunas playing more than 28 minutes a night.  That leaves plenty of minutes at the five, and they have three players who logged minutes at power forward headed to free agency.

Why Jonathan Jeanne?

Jonathan Jeanne continues a Raptors trend of picking international players in the draft.  Three of their last four first round selections were born outside the United States.

Jeanne is still very young and frail to fit in the NBA.  He probably follows a similar mold to Bruno Caboclo if Toronto takes a chance on him.  There is a lot of talent in Jeanne, but it is probably at least a few years away from showing itself on the NBA court.

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