Who Can Surprise for the Raptors This Season?

 This is where I prove I'm a real sicko for the Toronto Raptors. I've written a few basic articles this season talking about players that most casual Raptors fans would know about, and those were fun! But today I want to get into the nitty gritty and talk about 3 players who I think can step up and surprise people by jumping into the rotation ahead of schedule. I might fall on my face when all 3 of these guys don't pan out, or I might look like a genius! Either way, this is pretty much just based off of summer league which everyone knows is a direct indicator of how well you'll perform in real games (sarcasm). Lets get into it: 

Jonathan Mogbo 

This pick in the second round is a throwback traditional Raptors pick. Masai loves the long wingspan non-shooters who can do a little bit of everything out there. That's what Mogbo looks to be entering his first year at age 22, Mogbo stands at just 6'6 but has a 7'2 wingspan and is built like a truck at 220lbs. In college, Mogbo was used more as a big. He has a great ability to finish around the rim and awesome floor vision, reminiscent of now teammate Scottie Barnes. On offense, if used as a big Mogbo fits what Darko wants to do perfectly. Last season we saw similarly size Precious Achiuwa thrusted into the backup center role to start the season. Darko's offense requires the big to make decisions from the elbow finding cutters or initiating dribble handoffs. Precious last season struggled in this role, it didn't play to his strengths. Mogbo however, can offer similar size and mobility to Achiuwa but with enhanced playmaking skills. 

In Summer League, the Raptors used Mogbo as more of a wing than a big. At this position Mogbo offers versatility defensively and better enables him to utilize his strong handle and playmaking skills. This does however, highlight his biggest weakness which is shooting. The only reason Mogbo might not see the floor much this season is he struggles with his jump shot. Even in summer league he was hesitant to take them and when he did it looked ugly. If Mogbo can develop any kind of respectable outside game, he can be almost like a Scottie Barnes lite off the bench, offering much needed size and playmaking to that unit. 

Brendan Carlson

This one might be my favorite of the 3, although I like them all a lot. Carlson is a much older rookie than the rest of his class, coming in undrafted at 25 years old. Where some see a lack of upside, I see a ready to go product. Carlson stands at 7' tall with a 7'2 wingspan and looks to offer a more offense first look at the 5. Where Carlson's value really shines is his ability to shoot the ball. Carlson shot 38% on almost 5 attempts per game his last season in college and he continued to shoot the ball well into summer league. While not a lockdown defender at the 5, Carlson did show good timing and ability to block shots. I won't say he's going to anchor a top 5 defense or anything, but I don't think he's going to absolutely kill you out there. Carlson also demonstrated strong basketball IQ making good reads and passes when asked to, something, as we've noted above, that will be very important in Darko's system.  

Where Carlson might struggle is on defense. I have said I don't think he will kill you out there as a rim protector, but the fact of the matter is his footspeed is slow. He will get picked on in pick and rolls by more skilled guards. Coming off the bench however, Carlson can offer a more offense first look to compliment Jakob Poeltl. The Raptors are still thin at the center position. Kelly Olynyk and Jakob Poeltl will be eating a lot of those minutes, but if 1 injury strikes we might be seeing a lot of Carlson. I think he's ready to show he can contribute to a team and I predict he'll be in the rotation by the end of the year. 

Jamal Shead

Did I say Calrson is my favorite? I misspoke, Jamal Shead is my favorite of the 3. Although he's undersized at just 6'0 with a 6'2 wingspan, anyone who talks about Shead starts off with his defense. Shead is a ball hound, widely regarded as the best defender at the college level he disrupts ball handlers all game long. Shead does all the little things, diving for loose balls, getting into passing lanes and hyping up his team when they need it. There's no challenge that Shead won't take on head on. He reminds me of Fred VanVleet on the defensive end the way he uses his heavy hands to strip bigger players. Offensively Shead continues his dogged mentality. He has strong IQ and has shown he can be a good distributor. He likely contributes early on offense in transition playmaking off the steals he creates. 

Where Shead struggles is with his jumper. Being just a 6'0 guard with a subpar jumper is going to make it difficult to find the floor in the NBA. Although Shead contributes in every other way, he will need to work on his stroke from deep if he wants consistent minutes. Still though, the intangibles Shead brings should get him some spot minutes in defensive situations and if his jumper comes along, he could be the team's backup PG by the end of the year. I for one, look forward to going down to Mississauga to watch him with the 905 as much as I can this season.