In Episode 1417, Sean Woodley goes solo to discuss 18-year-old Mets 92 wing and Victor Wembanyama teammate Bilal Coulibaly and why he might be tough for the Toronto Raptors to pass up at 13, even if he doesn't address the team's most glaring needs. Off the top, Sean digs into the tale of the tape on Coulibaly and his ascent over the course of this season over in France to the point that he's now contributing on a French league finals-bound Mets team. He boasts a lot of qualities that'll remind you of O.G. Anunoby, but would it be foolish for the Raptors to use another pick on a project wing when their roster is in such glaring need of shooting and/or guard play -- skills that will be abundantly available when the Raptors pick at 13th-overall on NBA Draft night. Next, Sean runs through the defensive and off-ball scoring abilities that make Coulibaly such an interesting prospect, while also digging into the areas in which he'd need to grow on offense in order to reach his higher-end outcomes. Lastly, Sean replays a clip from Rafael Barlowe's recent appearance on Locked On Raptors detailing what makes Coulibaly such a Raptors-y prospect, why Masai Ujiri is the type of exec to take a chance like this, and why his rise up draft boards could benefit the Raptors by bumping a talented guard like Cason Wallace or Anthony Black down to their range of the draft.

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In Episode 1416, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors.com) to discuss the Toronto Raptors reportedly short list of candidates for their vacant head coaching position, which per Marc Stein is down to Spain and Virtus Bologna head coach Sergio Scariolo, Sacramento Kings assistant Jordi Fernández, Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajaković & former Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson. Off the top, they discuss why they're encouraged by the names remaining on the Raptors list and the outside-the-box thinking they might be able to bring to the table. Next, they discuss why the wide range of experience, head coaching an otherwise, that each of the final four possess is something to get excited about, in addition to why the European influence that three of the four candidates would bring to the table could be conducive to unlocking a Raptors team that has badly needed to implement some offensive structure, and features three above average passers at their position playing in their front court between Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl. Lastly, they discuss whether they'd be disappointed if the Raptors go the re-tread route, whether age should be a consderation in the Raptors' final decision, and their blind predictions for who will ultimately get the job in Toronto -- something we should have closure on by the end of this week, you'd think.

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In Episode 1415, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (DIME, Basketball Feelings) to take stock of Fred VanVleet's pending free agency, whether the Toronto Raptors are likely to keep him, and which teams they'd like to see Fred play for in the event he leaves in July. Off the top, they grade their level of concern over the murky Raptors' offseason situation and the possibility that VanVleet could leave for nothing. Does the lack of any movement on the coaching front play into the fanbase-wide tension and uneasiness? Is it worth buying into the Raptors track record of keeping their own guys in order to ease your anxieties? Next, Sean and Katie discuss the reasons why the Raptors simply cannot afford to lose VanVleet. Even if you don't love him as a basketball player, it's better for the team going forward to retain him. Full stop. Not to mention, it's a really good thing to have a point guard on your roster!!! Lastly, they examine some possible VanVleet destinations that wouldn't crush their souls. Could he be a fun veteran leader for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs? Or a compliment to Kevin Durant and Devon Booker with the Phoenix Suns? Basically, anywhere but Philly, right?

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In Episode 1414, Sean Woodley is joined by Jamar Hinds to reflect on the 10 years Masai Ujiri has spent in charge of the Toronto Raptors following the anniversary of him being named Raps GM on Wednesday. Off the top, Sean and Jamar share their biggest takeaways when then look back on the Ujiri era in Toronto, and examine the ways in which the franchise has evolved from complete doormat to one of the league's most successful and relevant franchises under Ujiri after 18 years as one of the league's biggest laughing stocks. Next, they discuss their favourite Masai Ujiri moves in charge of the team, including swapping Greivis Vasquez to Milwaukee for the picks that became Norman Powell and O.G. Anunoby, the Kawhi Leonard deal, the championship puzzle-finishing move for Marc Gasol, and the Andrea Bargnani trade to the Knicks. Plus, a great listener submitted summary of what Masai has meant to Toronot. Lastly, as the Raptors seemingly lack a notable direction and their success as a franchise seems to be waning, what's the level of trust in Ujiri to shepherd the team through these murky waters and into a more clarified future?

Be sure to join the growing Locked On Raptors Discord community to keep the conversation going! https://discord.gg/BznCznAg

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Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

In Episode 1413, Sean Woodley goes solo to break down the game of Baylor guard Keyonte George and why he might not be an ideal fit for the Toronto Raptors with the 13th-overall pick. Off the top, Sean digs into why he was mostly unimpressed the few times he tuned in to watch George late in the season and why that impression might be skewed due to the ankle injury he dealt with down the stretch of the season. That said, there are some elements to his game that are of concern -- is there a chance he's the player a lot of folks think Fred VanVleet is? Next, Sean digs into the good and bad of George's game. He's probably going to be a good shooter in the NBA, and has a lot of defensive potential as a point of attack guy, but are his issues with turnovers, decision-making and finishing at the rim enough to scare the Raptors away from picking him with a lottery selection? Lastly, Sean stacks George up against the other players discussed on the show in the lead up to the draft, and discusses why he fears George's NBA ceiling is that of a three-point dependent bench scorer.

Join the Locked On Raptors Discord server to keep the pre-draft conversation going with our growing listener community! https://discord.gg/BznCznAg

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.

Built Bar

Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.

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

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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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Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

In Episode 1412, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors.com) to break down former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse landing with the Phildelphia 76ers, Sergio Scariolo reportedly being a finalist for the Raptors head coaching gig, and to check the temperature on their trade-related feelings with a month left to go before the draft and free agency. Off the top, Sean and Vivek discuss the emotional baggage of Nurse going to Philly, why it's a fascinating match of coach and roster, and whether a Nick Nurse Curse stands a chance of being more odious than the Dwane Casey Curse ever was. Next, they discuss the reporting out of Italy that Sergio Scariolo is a finalist for the Raptors head coaching job, whether he'd be a good fit for what the Raptors need right now, and whether it's concerning that the Raptors still have yet to make a hire with less then a month to go before the Draft. Lastly, Sean and Vivek check the temperature of their trade-related feelings as they pertain to Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby. Are they coming around on the idea of a Siakam trade? What would they need to see come back in return to feel good about a move? And should Anunoby just be off the table entirely?

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In Episode 1411, Sean Woodley goes solo to break down UConn shooting guard prospect Jordan Hawkins and what his fit with the Toronto Raptors would be if they were to select him with the 13th-overall pick. Off the top, Sean digs into what makes Hawkins' such an intriguing prospect, even if he doesn't flash the upside to one day be a star. You gotta have role players, baby! And Hawkins looks like the type of dude who will be on a good NBA teams for a long time to come. Next, Sean digs into what Hawkins does well. In short, he's maybe the best three-point shooter in the 2023 Draft class, and can bang in triples either standing still, or on the move. He seems to fit into a team construct and the ball doesn't stick in his hands when it comes to him. Plus, he doesn't figure to be a liability defensively, and he's just a winner, baby! Lastly, Sean digs into whether or not Hawkins will be there for Toronto at 13 (seems likely!), why he'd breathe new life into what the Raptors do offensively, and why he could be a great replacement if Gary Trent Jr. decides to walk this summer.

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In Episode 1410, Sean Woodley digs into guard prospect Cason Wallace out of Kentucky and whether he'd be a sensible fit with the Toronto Raptors should they select him with the 13th-overall pick in the NBA Draft. Off the top, Sean digs into why Wallace profiles as a potential long-term replacement for Fred VanVleet -- though not a day one replacement for what VanVleet brings to the team. Next, Sean runs through the strengths of Wallace's game, including some very tantalizing defensive tools, some promising mid-range pull-up numbers, and his ability to contribute without having the ball in his hands with cutting and catch-and-shoots. For all the good, though, Wallace does struggle creating space for himself and with pull-up threes -- are those drawbacks concerning, or do they stand a chance of being rectified in the NBA as Wallace looks to follow in the long line of Kentucky guards to really take off once leaving the Wildcats' program. Lastly, Sean examines the widely thrown out comparison to Jrue Holiday and whether there's any merit to it, and whether it's likely for the Raptors to be there at 13.

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