Toronto Raptors praised for drafting Miami basketball alum Dewan Hernandez

Siakam and Hernandez are built more for power forward than center. In the modern NBA, it’s possible to play two players at the four and five that are not traditional back to the basket players.

Mike Bossetti of Canes Warning’s partner site Raptors Rapture wrote not to expect Hernandez in the Toronto rotation initially. That is to be expected from a second-round draft pick. Bossetti is impressed with Hernandez’s defense.

"“You shouldn’t expect him to be in the rotation day one of the regular season. However, the rookie does bring a solid skill-set to the table…Hernandez is too raw to make an impact immediately in the league. But if he can polish up a few areas, he might be contributing quicker than you think. He also comes to the NBA as a more developed defender than most rookies. He’s quick enough and big enough to stick with almost any individual matchup. Some of the behemoth centers or polished low-post scorers might pick on him a bit, but that’s going to happen to any first-year player. He also comes to the NBA as a more developed defender than most rookies. He’s quick enough and big enough to stick with almost any individual matchup. Sure, some of the behemoth centers or polished low-post scorers might pick on him a bit, but that’s going to happen to any first-year player."

Bossetti wrote an extensive analysis of Hernandez. He discussed what Hernandez needs to work on and his role with the Raptors. Hernandez was happy to get drafted. It can sometimes be a blessing to go undrafted and chose which team to sign with.

Hernandez’s second-round selection nearly completes what some have called the best recruiting class in Miami history. Brown was chosen in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. Brown averaged 4.3 points per game and started 56 games for Detroit last season.

The Raptors first game post-NBA Championship will be in the NBA Summer League July 6 against Golden State at Midnight ET (really July 7, but the NBA posts it as July 6.). Hernandez should be one of the stars for the Raptors summer league team in Las Vegas.