In Episode 1426, Sean Woodley is joined by Rafael Barlowe (NBA Big Board) to get the latest on the rumours swirling around the Toronto Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the NBA Draft, and talk through some of the Raptors' options with the 13th-overall pick. Off the top, Sean and Rafael dig into the latest rumblings Rafael is hearing from around league on the potential of Raptors deal with the Portland Trail Blazers for the 3rd-overall pick. Could the Blazers put no. 3 on the table to land Pascal Siakam to pair with Damian Lillard, with the Raptors' target theoretically being Scoot Henderson? Next, Sean runs some of his strongest-held draft opinions by Rafael to get a gauge of whether he's Too High or Too Low on a pair of guard prospects: Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin and Baylor guard Keyonte George. Sean's all about the Bufkin bandwagon and is pretty sure he's the best possible outcome for the Raptors with the 13th-overall pick, and is a little lower than consensus on George. Can Rafael talk him to somewhere near the middle on either guy? Plus, some quick-hitters on Jalen Hood-Schifino's three-point stroke, and the super tantalizing Leonard Miller and the potential of either of them being the choice for Masai Ujiri and company on Draft night. Lastly, Rafael grades Sean's performance in the Locked On NBA Mock Draft.

Be sure to check out the Locked On Raptors Discord server! It's where you're gonna wanna be on Draft night: https://discord.gg/aP6u4nMd

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The Utah Jazz land an interesting addition to their surprisingly good 2022 roster while the New Orleans Pelicans focus more on play surrounding Zion Williamson than replacing him. The Atlanta Hawks also grab another big man to take some pressure off of star Trae Young.

Locked On's NBA Mock Draft Special is here and it's bigger than ever! Led by the dynamic trio of NBA expert Kylen Mills, NBA Draft expert Rafael Barlowe, and College Basketball expert Isaac Schade at the anchor desk; alongside dozens of local Locked On team experts as GMs, you'll get unparalleled insight from the war rooms of each first-round team in an ultimate mock draft experience only Locked On can deliver. Additional analysis by NBA Big Board hosts Lief Thulin and Richard Stamen alongside NBA Insider Howard Beck

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In Episode 1425, Sean Woodley goes solo to examine the possibility of the Toronto Raptors trading up with the Portland Trail Blazers at the NBA Draft to draft Scoot Henderson with the 3rd-overall pick, presumably with Pascal Siakam going the other way. Off the top, Sean details why the Raptors need the Blazers to get a little bit stupid in order for this dream to become a reality, and the circumstances that seem to be leading the Blazers towards potentially doing just that. Plus, some thoughts on what fun it would be to see a guy of Scoot's hyper-athletic, rim-attacking archetype on the Raptors, which is something the fan base has never experienced at the point guard spot before. Next, Sean digs into what the scouts say about Henderson's strengths as well as the areas in which he'll need to improve in order to fulfill his full superstar potential, and how his strengths would fit alongside Scottie Barnes and within a Darko Rajakovic system. Lastly, Sean digs into what the Raptors offseason should look like in the event they do land Scoot, Anfernee Simons and other pieces from the Blazers in exchange for Siakam. Would that deal make it easier for the Raptors to let Fred VanVleet walk outright in free agency? And what would it mean for Gary Trent Jr.? Look, there is almost no way this trade is happening. But like, what if it did...

Be sure to join the show's super fun, very friendly and quickly growing listener community on Discord! https://discord.gg/aP6u4nMd

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Gametime

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PrizePicks

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BetterHelp

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In Episode 1424, Sean Woodley is joined by Jamar Hinds (Raptors Republic) to revisit their conversation from a month ago about the Toronto Raptors deep bench players and discuss whether or not their feelings on those players have changed with the hiring of Darko Rajaković. Off the top, they discuss whether or not they're looking at each of the Raptors younger deep bench players with a clean slate now that Rajaković will be bringing his player development prowess to Toronto. Next, they discuss whether or not Malachi Flynn's career stands a chance of being saved by a pick-and-roll friendly head coach and a little more opportunity in the final season of his rookie scale contract. Lastly, Sean and Jamar dig into their excitement for Christian Koloko, whether or not Dalano Banton stands a chance of carving out a niche under the new coach, and why Otto Porter Jr. is being slept on as a contributor on next years' Raptors.

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In Episode 1423, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (DIME, Basketball Feelings) to share their biggest takeaways from the Toronto Raptors introductory press conference for new head coach Darko Rajaković. Off the top, they dig into what they were most intrigued by from the presser, and why it really did feel like a step into a new era for the franchise after a lifeless end to the Nick Nurse era. Next, they chat about whether they feel better about the Raptors having a direction as a franchise once again, and why Rajaković's comments about communication and getting to know his players on a personal level hint at a potential shift back to the more familial vibe the franchise has been known for in the past. Lastly, Sean and Katie chat about what the arrival of Rajaković might mean for the developmental aspect of the Raptors' franchise, and why it's so essential for the Raptors to get back to their developmental ways.

Come join the growing Locked On Raptors listener community over on Discord! It's a really fun time! https://discord.gg/aP6u4nMd

Birddogs

Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they’ll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order.

eBay Motors

For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed.

PrizePicks

First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON

BetterHelp

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at Betterhelp.com/LockedOnNBA and get 10% off your first month.

FanDuel

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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In Episode 1422, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors.com) to talk through some more of their thoughts on the Toronto Raptors hiring Darko Rajaković as the teams prepares to introduce him on Tuesday afternoon, before reacting to Fred VanVleet officially opting out of his contract to become a free agent. Off the top, Sean and Vivek talk a little about the Denver Nuggets winning the NBA championship before diving more into what excites them about the Rajaković hire, and which players they're most excited to see play under Darko Rajaković's tutelage. Next, they discuss Fred VanVleet officially opting out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, which we all knew was coming for a year, and doesnt' tangibly change his status within the team's plans. What happens if FVV leaves for nothing in free agency? Sean also goes on a rant about whether you like Fred's game or not, the objective correct move is for the Raptors to try and retain him. Lastly, what about Gary Trent Jr., who has yet to make a decision on his own player option. If the Raptors lose Fred, does it become a priority to keep Trent Jr. around simply to prevent a mass exodus of shooting talent?

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In Episode 1421, Sean Woodley reacts to the Toronto Raptors hiring the 44-year-old Darko Rajaković to become the franchise's 10th head coach, and then welcomes in Damichael Cole of Locked On Grizzlies to discuss what Rajaković will bring to Toronto after spending the last three seasons as the top assistant with Memphis. Off the top, Sean digs into why the hiring is super exciting, and represents a massive shift away from the style of play and big picture philosophies present during the tail end of the Nick Nurse era. Next, Damichael Cole stops by to discuss what Rajaković is like as a person, why player developement is the area in which he excels the most, and the work he's done to faciliate development across the Grizzlies roster, but in particular with burgeoning star guard Desmond Bane. Plus, they discuss Rajaković's focus on empowering players and communicating effectively, and the ways in which the Grizzlies teams he worked for overcame their notable lack of spacing to create solid offense.

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In Episode 1420, Sean Woodley goes solo to profile Indiana point guard prospect Jalen Hood-Schifino and what makes him an almost perfect with the Toronto Raptors theory, save for one very notable weakness in his game. Off the top, Sean discusses why Hood-Schifino would make sense for the Raptors, from his excellent pick-and-roll operation to his stout defense as an over-sized guard at the point of attack, to a really interesting mid-range pull up game. But, does his suspect three-point shooting, especially off the catch, make him too tricky a fit to really work on this Raptors roster? Next, Sean digs into what the scouts are saying about the strengths and areas for growth in his game, and the concerning underlying numbers and mechanical concerns that could prevent him from becoming a player who can operate effectively without the ball in his hands. Lastly, Sean updates his personal big board for the Raptors at no. 13, and why Hood-Schifino doesn't quite break into the top-three among Sean's most ideal realistic targets for Toronto at 13.

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