Sources: Suggs’ Poor Workout Helped Raptors Decide On Barnes

Jalen Suggs‘ pre-draft workout with the Raptors did not go well, playing a role in the team’s decision to bypass the Gonzaga star and instead select Florida State forward Scottie Barnes with the No. 4 overall pick, sources told Hoops Wire.

Suggs led Gonzaga to an unbeaten record and a run to the NCAA championship game, where it lost to Baylor. A 6-foot-4 combo guard, he averaged 14.4 points and 5.3 rebounds, drawing comparisons to former Pistos great Joe Dumars.

Instead of being selected with the No. 4 pick by the Raptors, as many suspected, Suggs dropped to the Magic one pick later.

Meanwhile, Barnes is a 6-9 forward who only recorded averages of 10.3 points and 4.0 boards at Florida State, but is viewed as a spectacular athlete with a major upside. His pre-draft activity was said to go very well.

Either way, the Magic seem happy they landed Suggs, as one individual workout doesn’t make a career. And he knows what he can offer.

“I think it shows at every level I have played,” he told reporters. “My ability is to do whatever is needed on that night to win. Whether that’s play defense on the best offensive player and make him a non-factor. Shut him out of the game.

“To come out and score and make big shots in big moments. To facilitate and make my teammates better. And then again, the leadership never changes. That’s the same every night. My intensity and fire and passion that I come to the court with. I think everybody there is going to rally around it. Really gravitate towards it.”