3 possibilities for Raptors to take with 9th pick

It's not often that on the same night a team plays in the Eastern Conference final it also has a shot in the NBA draft lottery.

But Toronto Raptors fans can thank the foresight of Masai Ujiri, whose first move as the team's GM in 2013 was to unload Andrea Bargnani on the New York Knicks for what ultimately proved to be a lottery pick this season. Though the Raptors didn't move up in the draft after Tuesday's selection, the ninth pick they have should prove useful. 

The Raptors have made a huge leap by advancing to the conference final for the first time in franchise history, but Tuesday's 115-84 blowout by Cleveland (and yes, we know it's only one game) — as well as the struggle of two seven-game series earlier in the playoffs — show that perhaps the team could use a few more pieces before taking the ultimate step to the championship.

The Raptors' ninth overall pick gives the team a chance to add an instant-impact player to their rotation at a variety of different positions. First and foremost, Luis Scola's age and Patrick Patterson's inconsistency as a starter throughout the playoffs have made it clear the Raptors need an upgrade at the power forward position. 

Questions surrounding the looming free agency of both All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan as well as rim-protecting centre Bismack Biyombo have also opened the Raptors up to the possibility of taking just about any type of position player with the pick. 

Here are three prospects that might make sense for the Raptors at ninth overall when the team hits the clock this June: 

1. Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington

NBA Comparison: Serge Ibaka (according to CBSSports.com) 

Chriss fits well into the Raptors' need at the power forward position. As a freshman at  Washington, the six foot-nine, 225-pound athlete averaged 13 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes per game, while also shooting 53 per cent from the field and 35 per cent from three. 

Scouts are calling Chriss an athletic and rangy power forward with potential to be a long-term solution. However, Chriss is generally regarded as a high-risk, high-reward pick. As one of the youngest 18-year-olds in the draft and having played only five years of basketball in his life, Chriss' quick rise from a relatively unknown recruit to a potential lottery pick in just the last year raises some doubts about his readiness for the NBA. 

The Bottom Line: According to Sportsnet analysts, Chriss may need some time in the D-League to develop, but he is a prospect with tremendous upside that could translate into an immediate impact player as early as next season.

2. Skal Labissiere, PF, Kentucky

NBA Comparison: Channing Frye (according to NBADraft.net)

As the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country when he landed at Kentucky this fall, Labissiere was pegged as a sure-fire lottery pick in this year's draft class. However, the six-foot-10, 216-pound freshman struggled early as he averaged just 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in his first 16 SEC games. 

Heating up in the latter part of the season — as well as an open workout last week where he impressed scouts with his ability to shoot three-pointers — Labissiere has re-established himself as a  premiere power forward prospect. 

It appears that he can run the floor, block shots, and shoot the three. However, Labissiere projects as a longer-term project than Chriss, as some scouts believe he may take as long as two to three years to contribute significantly. 

The Bottom Line: While Labissiere doesn't fit well into the Raptors' immediate needs, don't be surprised if Ujiri can't resist the potential Labissiere brings to the table. 

3. Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga

NBA Comparison: Marc Gasol or Luis Scola (according to NBADraft.net)  

Sabonis is a more traditional power forward prospect in this year's draft class that would bring an NBA-ready skillset at that position. The son of the Lithuanian great Arvydas Sabonis, Domantas is an extremely active and mobile low-post player who makes plays even when the ball isn't in his hands.

As a sophomore at Gonzaga, he averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds (although these numbers would have been higher had he not split time in the front court with teammate Przemek Karnoski for the first several games of the season). 

The Bottom Line: Although not a flashy player, Sabonis is still a strong offensive post player with enough quickness to defend smaller guys on the perimeter and enough size to be an effective post defender, according to FoxSports.com. Sabonis fits well for the Raptors as an NBA-ready four, who should gel well next to fellow Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas.