7 Worst Toronto Raptors Draft Picks of All Time, Ranked

The Toronto Raptors odds of winning games and maximizing their championship basketball odds come down to the talent they can acquire.

That talent often has to come through the NBA Draft, but sometimes the players they select just don’t pan out.

With that in mind, who are the worst Raptors draft picks of all time? Let’s find out.

What Are the Worst Raptors Draft Picks?

1. Rafael Araújo — 2004 (No. 8 overall)

Rafael Araújo lasted just two seasons in Toronto and three in the league overall.

The Raptors could have drafted Andre Iguodala (No. 9 overall), Al Jefferson (No. 15 overall), or Josh Smith (No. 17 overall) instead of him, which certainly would’ve given Chris Bosh the help he desperately needed, especially after the Vince Carter trade to the New Jersey Nets.

The cartoon shark tattoo on Araújo’s left arm was hilarious, but I’m sure Raptors fans would’ve preferred a player who could’ve helped their favourite team win some games instead.

The BYU product was traded to the Utah Jazz in a deal that sent Kris Humphries to Toronto in 2006.

2. Aleksander Radojević — 1999 (No. 12 overall)

Aleksander Radojević played only three games for the Raptors, all of which came during his rookie season.

He missed most of his first year in the league due to a torn ligament in his left knee.

Radojević resurfaced with the Jazz for 12 games during the 2004-05 season but was never seen on an NBA court again after that.

The Raptors could’ve had Corey Maggette (No. 13), Ron Artest (No. 16), or Andrei Kirilenko (No. 24) instead.

Artest (2004 Defensive Player of the Year) and Kirilenko (2005 blocks champion) could’ve given Carter some much-needed support on both ends of the floor.

3. Michael Bradley — 2001 (No. 17 overall)

Michael Bradley lasted just two-plus seasons in Toronto and five in the league overall.

Though Bradley was drafted outside of the lottery, the Raptors missed out on future All-Stars Zach Randolph (No. 19 overall), Gerald Wallace (No. 25 overall), and Tony Parker (No. 28 overall).

4. Bruno Caboclo — 2014 (No. 20 overall)

Bruno Caboclo had decent athleticism and a jumper, and while he was a solid defender, his offence never translated to the next level.

The Raptors missed two opportunities to draft Nikola Jokić (No. 41 overall), as they selected DeAndre Daniels with the 37th pick.

Jokić on a team with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan would’ve been deadly.

5. Joey Graham — 2005 (No. 16 overall)

Joey Graham was not a good perimeter defender despite having the size and frame to become one, and he never provided enough offence in his four years in Toronto.

The Raptors could’ve used one of the two picks they got from the Nets in the Carter trade on Danny Granger (No. 17 overall) or David Lee (No. 30 overall) instead, which would’ve helped soften the blow of that lopsided trade, given that both players developed into All-Stars.

6. Andrea Bargnani — 2006 (No. 1 overall)

Andrea Bargnani averaged 21.4 points in his fifth season in the NBA, but he struggled with injuries in his last two seasons in Toronto and five in the league overall.

Bargnani never fully bought in on defence nor provided enough offence to justify being the first overall pick.

The Raptors would likely go with LaMarcus Aldridge (No. 2 overall) in a redraft.

7. Jonathan Bender — 1999 (No. 5 overall)

Jonathan Bender never suited up for the Raptors, but he played just eight seasons in the league and never averaged over 7.4 points.

Bender was sent to the Indiana Pacers in a deal that brought Antonio Davis, who helped the Raptors get to the playoffs in three straight seasons and was an All-Star in 2001, to Toronto.