The Raptors have never been the team to draft in a hurry. Take Pascal Siakam, for example. It was never about crafting Siakam into a year one contributor. It was always a deliberate, long-term plan. The same can apply to Leandro Bolmaro, who expects to spend next season with Barcelona. The Raptors don’t need someone to come over right away.
Bolmaro has some holes in his game — most notably, his lack of a consistent, reliable jump shot. He’s a versatile 6-foot-8 wing. He can defend multiple positions, he’s comfortable creating for others, and his shot-making chops are there. If he can iron out his jumper — and stretch it comfortably behind the 3-point line — the 19-year-old will probably exceed the value of his draft slot.
Think of Bolmaro is an immense talent that still needs a few years of grooming. He can create off the dribble, and he’s even comfortable whipping high-level passes out of the pick-and-roll, but he’s also dangerously turnover-prone. It will take time for Bolmaro to better define his skill set and to improve as a decision-maker. The Raptors can take that time, and their player development program remains among the best in basketball.