Raptors: What is Masai Ujiri doing with Lucas Nogueira?

With the Raptors drafting Jakob Poeltl 9th in the NBA draft it leaves Lucas Nogueira in a very precarious position, but what should they do with him now?

Masai Ujiri indicated three things during the 2016 NBA draft, 1) he clearly didn’t read my article on why they should draft Skal Labissere 2) they aren’t resigning Bismack Biyombo 3) Ujiri doesn’t believe in Lucas Nogueira. Why else draft a centre at the ninth spot, when there were much more interesting and dynamic players to be had?

Everyone is claiming the Raptors went the safe route with the ninth pick, but drafting a centre shouldn’t be safe. That pick should be in excess – Nogueira was lined up to be the backup centre.

Nogueira has barely graced the floor of Air Canada Centre and it looks like that will remain the same for years to come. It is public perception that the rookie Jakob Poeltl could be slated to take the backup centre position if (when) Biyombo leaves.

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That has got to be a hard blow, not only to Nogueira’s confidence but his trust in the team. Admittedly he’s a project player but he’s been one for a while now.

Eventually you have to turn it in. The Brazilian had been moving back and forth between the Raptors 905 (The Raptors D-League Affiliate) and the Raptors last year and there have been some flashes.

Nogueira has the tools to be a great defensive center in the NBA. He has amazing length that has been used to make him an astonishing shot blocker and could help him deter shots around the rim but, that’s about it.

The 23-year old bites on every pump fake, is easily faked out and he’s always out of position – he lacks discipline. Somehow in his years of being a professional, he has yet to put on enough weight to make him sturdy enough to battle for rebounds.

Nogueira runs the floor well and has great hands though! He’s really raw and has yet to be seasoned in the past two years, but that doesn’t fall squarely on his shoulders.

A player can only improve a certain amount when playing for the d-league; the competition is obviously lesser, but at least you get to play. The 2013 16th overall draft pick is part of the Raptors NBA team, but rarely sees the floor.

Mar 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (92) hands off to Toronto Raptors forward Bruno Cabocla (20) against Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter at Air Canada Centre. Raptors beat Celtics 105 – 91. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /

Nogueira is supposed to develop into the defensive dynamo that the Raps want as the back up 5, but he never gets the chance to actually develop. He never gets a chance to make mistakes and learn, nor does he ever get experience during meaningful minutes of games.

Jonas Valanciunas went down in the series against the Heat, a prime time to let Nogueira to test his mettle, much like Norman Powell in the Pacers’ series. However, he only saw spot minutes in a couple games and only played in garbage time throughout the playoffs.

So, if the franchise only thinks of the São Gonçalo native as a garbage time player, why did they just extend his rookie scale contract? It’s not like the coaching staff has shown any affection or confidence in the Brazilian centre.

Everytime it looks like Nogueira could break into the rotation, the coaching staff pivots away from him. If he hasn’t shown any development in the past two years in the d-league and never gets minutes in the NBA, it doesn’t make any sense to keep him on the team – it’s either now or never in his development as a NBA player.

Next: 5 Players you forgot the Raptors Drafted

If never, the Raptors could invest that money and roster spot in taking a flyer on a player that could actually make the team better. Toronto needs a back up small forward, centre and power forward to make another deep run into the playoffs and they can’t afford to keep spinning the tires with Nogueira.

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