The Toronto Raptors picked 19-year old, 7′0″, 231 pound center Jonas Valanciunas out of Lithuania with the 5th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. Valanciunas played in 59 games with 4 different teams last year and he averaged 18.6 minutes, 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.5 blocked shots in Europe. He played in 123 games in his three years in Europe and he is averaging 10.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.6 blocked shots per game. The Raptors are going to have to at least wait at least one year and maybe two for Valanciunas. That isn’t going to help the Raptors at all for now, but Valanciunas is often compared to Pau Gasol, so he might be worth the wait.

UPDATE: (6/25/2011) - The Raptors have reached a buyout agreement with Jonas Valanciunas’ current basketball team (Lietuvos) which will allow him to start playing for them in the 2012-13 season. I really like this pick for the Raptors now.

The Raptors like to draft players from Europe. They are likely considering both center Jonas Valanciunas and PF Jan Vesely. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Raptors take either of those guys. But, I think they should take small forward Kawhi Leonard out of San Diego State. He would fill a huge hole on the Raptors and he would really help out the front line as he can rebound as well as score. The Raptors just can’t afford to take a guy like Valanciunas who might not even come to the U.S. or Canada for the next couple of years.

The Toronto Raptors have acquired 22-year old center Solomon Alabi (the 50th overall pick of the NBA Draft) from the Mavericks for a future second round pick and cash considerations. Alabi played in 32 games (all starts) for Florida State last season and he averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 2.3 blocked shots per game. He played in 77 games (68 starts) in his 3 years in college and he averaged 9.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 2.1 blocked shots per game. This was a good trade for the Raptors as Alabi is a legit center at 7′1″, 251 pounds.

The Raptors have selected 20-year old power forward Ed Davis with the 13th overall pick of the first round. Davis is built a lot like Chris Bosh as he is 6′10″, 225 pounds and he might get his old starting spot when the 2010-11 season starts. Davis played in 23 games (all starts) for North Carolina last season and he averaged 13.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 2.8 blocked shots per game. He finished his career playing in 61 games (25 starts) for the Tar Heels in which he averaged 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 2.1 blocked shots per game. This was a excellent pick for the Raptors as Davis is still getting better.

The Toronto Raptors are a team in flux right now. Chris Bosh is likely leaving and there are rumors that Hedo Turkoglu could be traded tomorrow night. The rumor surrounding Turkoglu has him going along with the 13th overall pick to the Timberwolves for small forward Corey Brewer and the 23rd overall pick. Compounding the fact that the Raptors could be losing two of their starting frontcourt players is the fact that they don’t appear to happy with Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack at the point guard position as they are likely both on the trading block too. Draft “experts” seem to think that the Raptors are going to draft shooting guard Avery Bradley out of Texas but I think that would be a mistake as they will be lacking big time on the frontcourt.