Raptors select Delon Wright with No. 20 pick in 2015 NBA draft
The Raptors selected Utah guard Delon Wright with the No. 20 pick in Thursday's NBA draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Wright, a 6'6" point guard, is the younger brother of veteran forward Dorell Wright.
Wright, 23, was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection in each of his two seasons at Utah and was a second-team All-America choice as a senior. He joined the Utes after two seasons at a junior college.
He averaged 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game as a senior, leading his team to the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16. Wright also led the Pac-12 with 2.56 steals per game and averaged a league-high 38.6 minutes. He was sixth in the conference with 1.3 blocks per game.
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Mannix's analysis: Not sure I understand this pick. The Raptors are set at point guard with Kyle Lowry, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract last summer. They have a need at power forward and several—a group that includes Bobby Portis, Kevon Looney and Montrezl Harrell—were available. Instead they take Wright, a long, defensive-minded playmaker. This is a bit of a reach for a player who plays a position the Raptors seem pretty set at. Does this mean Toronto will shop Lowry? Strange selection.
Grade: C-
Strengths: A do-it-all point guard with outstanding size for the position. Wright gets by with craft rather than overpowering athleticism. He’s a smart, decisive player who can score, distribute and rebound well for his position. An efficient scorer despite not being a great shooter overall, Wright has a knack for getting to his spots and finding creases. The senior can also defend and has a knack for creating steals and tips due to his length and excellent anticipation into passing lanes.
Weaknesses: Occasionally, he has trouble finishing around the rim, and he doesn’t have the elite athleticism you look for in a starting NBA point guard. Outside shooting will be a question, despite a decent three-point percentage as a senior (35.6%).
