by John McCauley
-- mapleleafs.com
June 24, 2002

The workouts are over, the talent has been evaluated. Now it's decision time for the Toronto Raptors.

Over 25 athletes have been brought into Toronto over the past month to have their skills tested by management brass. Mostly point guards and shooting guards dominated the cast -- which would address the Raptors biggest need -- with a few forwards and big men sprinkled in as well.

Using the workouts and meetings, along with each player's collegiate accomplishments, GM Glen Grunwald and his staff must decide what to do with the team's 20th pick in Wednesday night's NBA Draft.

There are many options available. The GM said on Friday that he'd seriously consider trading his team's first-round pick. It could be for a future draft choice, a pick lower in the first round or a player already under contract if he doesn't like the players available when it is Toronto's turn to choose.

Glen Grunwald has a big decision coming up at the draft. -- raptors.com

"I don't think we'd move up (in the draft)," Grunwald said. "I think we'd trade out if the guys we want aren't there."

Grunwald said it would be fairly easy to work out a trade. He said he's talked to a few teams already.

That's not to say the Raptors don't like any of the people projected to be available at their position. Assistant GM Bob Zuffelato, who organized the prospect workout sessions, said that the Raptors go into the draft with a plan and then adjust it according to how it unfolds.

"We still have a need (guard) and if the right people aren't there at our position, then fine," Zuffelato said. "There is always the possibility of a trade, trading a pick for an established player, trading up or trading down. There's a lot of scenarios."

When analyzing the players, Zuffelato looks at a number of factors.

"Athleticism is always a big factor in the NBA. You look for strength, quickness, power, jumping ability," Zuffelato said. "You got to have a great skill to play in the NBA. You have to do something great. If you don't do something great you can't make it. You can't do everything average and be an NBA player."

Background checks and the interview process give the Raptors an idea of what kind of person each player is. They ask questions about their family situation and their childhood to try and get a handle on their maturity and commitment levels.

"There are certain things you can tell about them while you're having dinner and by how they handle themselves," Zuffelato said.

Picking a player to join your organization is by no means an easy decision and proof of that is in the extensive pre-draft preparation. Regardless of what the Raptors decide to do on draft night, you'll know that a lot of work will have gone into the ultimate decision.