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NBA Mock Draft: Toronto Raptors Select Brice Johnson From North Carolina

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SB Nation's NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making or trading "their" team's pick. We continue with the next pick in the 2016 NBA Mock Draft, with Raptors HQ discussing their selection of Brice Johnson.

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Mock Draft Pick #27 -- Brice Johnson, Power Forward, North Carolina

SBNation's Toronto Raptors blog, Raptors HQ, explains this pick.

With the 27th pick of the Draft, the Raptors are looking for players able to contribute right away or prospects they can stash overseas. North Carolina senior Brice Johnson, a 6'9" athletic marvel, represents the former. With Toronto undoubtedly also looking for help in its frontcourt, Johnson should be able to provide the team with hustle on the boards, a strong finishing game at the rim, and a defensive presence in the paint.

Assuming Bismack Biyombo leaves through free agency, and with question marks still surrounding Lucas Nogueira, the Raptors will want Johnson to shore-up their frontline rotation. Pairing him with high-usage players like Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan as a pick-and-roll finisher or glass cleaner should also complement Johnson's nascent skill set. For a late first round pick, there is a lot of upside here.

Ridiculous Upside analysis: With the selection of Brice Johnson, the Toronto Raptors acquire a player that could contribute to the team from Day 1. Johnson's style of play is actually reminiscent of former UNC big Ed Davis in the sheer energy and effort that he exhibits. That's evident in his work as a cutter or on the offensive glass (averaged 4.1 offensive boards per 40 minutes),

1) Philadelphia 76ers: BEN SIMMONS

2) Los Angeles Lakers: BRANDON INGRAM

3) Phoenix Suns (From Boston): DRAGAN BENDER

4) Utah Jazz (From Phoenix): JAMAL MURRAY

5) Denver Nuggets (from Minnesota) : BUDDY HIELD

6) New Orleans Pelicans: KRIS DUNN

7) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Denver): DENZEL VALENTINE

8) Sacramento Kings: JAYLEN BROWN

9) Toronto Raptors: MARQUESE CHRISS

10) Milwaukee Bucks: DEYONTA DAVIS

11) Sacramento Kings (From Orlando): TIMOTHE LUWAWU

12) Utah Jazz: JAKOB POELTL

13) Denver Nuggets (from Phoenix): SKAL LABISSIERE

14) Chicago Bulls: WADE BALDWIN

15) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Denver): HENRY ELLENSON

16) Boston Celtics: DOMANTAS SABONIS

17)  Utah Jazz  (from Memphis) : FURKAN KORKMAZ

18) New Orleans Pelicans (from Detroit) : TAUREAN PRINCE

19) Phoenix Suns (from Denver): CHEICK DIALLO

20) Indiana Pacers: JUAN HERNANGOMEZ

21) Atlanta Hawks: DEMETRIUS JACKSON

22) Charlotte Hornets: ANTE ZIZIC

23) Detroit Pistons (from Utah): TYLER ULIS

24) Philadelphia 76ers: DEANDRE BEMBRY

25) Phoenix Suns (from Clippers): GARY PAYTON JR

26) Philadelphia 76ers: ISAIA CORDINIER

27) Toronto Raptors: BRICE JOHNSON

28)  Memphis Grizzlies (from Utah Jazz) :

29) San Antonio Spurs:

30) Golden State Warriors: