Toronto Raptors select Bruno Caboclo 20th overall

The Toronto Raptors sent shockwaves throughout the draft by selecting Bruno Caboclo with the 20th overall selection.

Billed as the “Brazilian Kevin Durant,” I’m sure Bruno Caboclo is a player that exists somewhere on this planet. I just can’t actually confirm this fact, because he was the one player drafted tonight of which that I haven’t seen a single frame of tape. Here are some facts on him that I can relay:

• He is 6’9 with veritable clown arms, measuring for a 7’7 wingspan.
• He is 18 years old, with a birthday after even Dante Exum and James Young. To say he’s young is an understatement.
• Given the fact that he’s this young, the Raptors must have promised him that he’d be their pick here. At 18 years old with the clown arms and potential that he apparently has, there is no circumstance where he should have stayed in the draft otherwise.
• Fran Fraschilla was quoted on the ESPN draft cast as saying that “Caboclo is two years away from being two years away,” which is craziness.
• Having said that, the media has said Caboclo WILL be with the Raptors next season, which means he’ll be spending quite a bit of time in the D-League most likely unless this is veritably an unearthed gem that only Masai Ujiri understands.

I have no idea what to think of this pick, given that Caboclo is so far away from actually contributing to a roster. I do know that there were some players on the board that could have really helped the Raptors as they continue to try to compete for the Eastern Conference. K.J. McDaniels could have helped them shore up their wing defense, Kyle Anderson could have helped them initiate offense next season in the event that Kyle Lowry leaves, or Cleanthony Early could have given them an inside-out weapon that they simply don’t have right now.

Having said that, Ujiri has built up enough currency at this point that he gets to make a pick like this. Maybe it works out, maybe it doesn’t. But regardless, it was an odd time to swing for the fences if you are Toronto.