Many teams hit it big in the NBA Draft or look back with deep regrets, crushing their NBA championship odds of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy.
The Toronto Raptors are no exception, as they ended up passing over several superstars with the second pick in the 1996 NBA Draft and additional stars in future years.
Who are they?
Toronto Raptors Draft History: 8 Stars the Team Could’ve Had
| Year | Player | Selection | Raptors Pick | Raptors Selection |
| 1996 | Kobe Bryant | 13th overall | Marcus Camby | 2nd overall |
| 1996 | Steve Nash | 15th overall | Marcus Camby | 2nd overall |
| 1996 | Ray Allen | 5th overall | Marcus Camby | 2nd overall |
| 1998 | Dirk Nowitzki | 9th overall | Antawn Jamison | 4th overall |
| 1998 | Paul Pierce | 10th overall | Antawn Jamison | 4th overall |
| 2003 | Dwyane Wade | 5th overall | Chris Bosh | 4th overall |
| 2011 | Kawhi Leonard | 15h overall | Jonas Valanciunas | 5th overall |
| 2014 | Nikola Jokic | 41st overall | DeAndre Daniels | 37th overall |
1. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is one of the best players ever to play the game of basketball, as the 2008 MVP mastered the ability to score in isolation and play lockdown defence.
18 years ago today, Kobe Bryant dropped a career-high 81 PTS! (2006)
81 PTS
6 REB
3 STL
61% FG (28/46)
53% 3P (7/13)
90% FT (18/20)
42 MIN pic.twitter.com/OyCnv632dJ— ThrowbackHoops (@ThrowbackHoops) January 22, 2024
The 15-time All-NBA, 12-time All-Defensive, and Hall of Fame guard won five championships and two Finals MVP Awards during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant also has the fourth-most points in NBA history.
The Raptors instead selected Marcus Camby, who had a solid career, including winning a Defensive Player of the Year Award, but he was never on the same level as Bryant or the other stars drafted after him, and his time in Toronto lasted just two years.
2. Steve Nash
Steve Nash turned out to be one of the greatest point guards of all time, as he won two MVP Awards.
One of the greatest point guards to suit up.
8x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA MVP, 5x NBA assist champion and 75th Anniversary Team member… Steve Nash! #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/3MCjySwZne
— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2021
The seven-time All-NBA and Hall of Fame guard has the fifth-most assists in league history.
3. Ray Allen
Ray Allen once set the record for the most 3-pointers made in league history until Stephen Curry surpassed him in 2021.
The all-time leader in 3-pointers made!
We celebrate Ray Allen's 45th birthday with the top triples from his career! #NBABDAY #NBAVault pic.twitter.com/IdD2UcaXx3
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) July 21, 2020
The Hall of Fame guard has two All-NBA Team selections and two rings to his name.
4. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki currently ranks sixth on the all-time NBA scoring list, as he had an elite jump shot to complement his great footwork.
Dirk was on another level during the @dallasmavs’ championship run in 2011! 👌 pic.twitter.com/BLwltz1Ulw
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 30, 2020
The 2007 MVP, 11-time All-NBA, and Hall of Fame forward led the Dallas Mavericks to a championship in 2011, earning Finals MVP honours.
Toronto came away with Vince Carter in that draft, which might have been the better choice, considering that he significantly boosted the Raptors’ popularity early on in their franchise history with his flashy dunks, in addition to his ability to carry an offence.
5. Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce was as crafty a scorer as they came, as he has the 17th-most points in NBA history.
The 10th overall pick of the 1998 @NBA Draft; @NBA champ (2008) Finals MVP (2008) 26,397 Points; Paul Pierce: Top 34 Plays Of His Career pic.twitter.com/zpMNZA34Et
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 2, 2017
The four-time All-NBA and Hall of Fame forward led the Boston Celtics to a championship in 2008, earning Finals MVP honours.
The Raptors ended up making the right choice in choosing Carter over Pierce.
6. Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade led the Miami Heat to a championship in just his third season in the league, earning Finals MVP honours.
Happy birthday to 3X NBA Champ & Finals MVP, Dwyane Wade.
One of the best to do it.⚡️ pic.twitter.com/lbeaHaaFIp
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) January 17, 2021
The eight-time All-NBA and Hall of Fame guard won two more championships and provided no shortage of excitement nightly.
The Raptors selected Chris Bosh one spot before D-Wade, and while Bosh had several good years in Toronto, he was never quite on the same level as Wade.
7. Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors to their first and only championship thus far in 2019.
Playoff Kawhi needed no words 😤 pic.twitter.com/pjJtTSlVNY
— BetMGM Canada (@BetMGMCanada) May 25, 2023
If they foresaw him becoming one of the best two-way players in the league one day, they could’ve had him much sooner, perhaps winning more championships as a result.
8. Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic is a dominant scorer in the painted area but is also arguably the greatest playmaking big man of all time.
The two-time MVP led the Denver Nuggets to a championship in 2023. That’s not bad for a second-round pick with plenty of time to add more accolades to his résumé.
Do the Toronto Raptors Have a First-Round Pick in 2024?
The Raptors are currently projected to have a top-10 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Who Was the Last Raptor Drafted Out of High School?
Lou Williams and Amir Johnson are the last Raptors players to be drafted out of high school.
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