Toronto Raptors 2015 Las Vegas Summer League has come to an end. The official end came Friday night versus the Portland Trail Blazers, while tournament play ended Thursday night when the Raptors youngsters fell to the Chicago Bulls 84-80. Though it was just a Summer League team for the Raptors they still happened to lose like Toronto sports team would – blowing an 18-points lead to the Bulls.

In the preliminary round the Raptors got off to a perfect 3-0 start, but for a team that looked as talented as every other team in Las Vegas the Raptors now head home after a 3-2 showing – they ended consolation play with a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. It was not the ending the players had hoped for, but nonetheless the coach’s and management came away with some good notes.  They got great performances from their very own draft picks and some of the roster add-ons gave NBA scouts something to remember. Here are some notes to take away from the Raptors 2015 Summer League:

Norman Powell – a second-round steal?

History has shown the Raptors have not been the best when selecting in the second-round of the NBA Draft. A stat from TSN’s Josh Lewenberg: “Raptors have made 14 second-round picks in their history. Only five have played for them. None have played more than 72-games.”

Some notable second-rounders to play for the Raptors are Matt Bonner, who was selected 45th overall in 2003 and P.J. Tucker, selected 35th overall in 2006. Bonner was originally selected by Chicago and a draft night trade brought him to Toronto for two seasons. Tucker played 17-games for the Raptors then went overseas for five seasons before finding a home in Phoenix, where he’s receiving consistent minutes.

Powell like Bonner was not drafted by Toronto. He was taken 46th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, but also traded on draft night to the Raptors, in the Greivis Vasquez trade. Powell a UCLA product was not given a rookie contract with the Raptors right away as the team waited to see three Summer League games out of the 6-4 guard-forward.

Those were three solid games from Powell as well. It is not good to judge a players future off Summer League games but Powell showed more than great numbers during his four games in Las Vegas.

Powell has the length and strength to guard the opposing team small forward. His shot could still use some work but Powell showed that he has a great first step to drive by his defender and finish strong at the rim. He will still have to earn a place in Dwane Casey’s rotation for the 2015-16 season, which is not too far-fetched especially if Terrence Ross continues to be a negative on the court. Powell could possibly be the Raptors first ever second-round steal.

His contract with the Raptors is for two-years with a third year team-option. His development will be watched thoroughly by many as Powell has already become a fan favourite.

The one-year away from being two years away Bruno

In the 2014 NBA Draft Adam Silver announced an unknown Brazilian as the Raptors 20th overall pick. Bruno Caboclo was then looked at as an 18-year old player that was two years away from being two years away – whatever that means. In his first NBA season he appeared in eight games for garbage time. He also got limited minutes when sent to the Development League. So instead of keeping him on the bench in the D-League the Raptors decided it was better to keep him on the roster and allow him to practice with the big boys.

Caboclo everyday with the Raptors last season looked like a kid at a new school. He never looked comfortable being with a new team in a new country and not knowing any English. Summer League saw a different Caboclo. He’s come back bigger and even better. He’s not close to being NBA ready but in his five games with the Raptors this summer he looked comfortable on the court, like he knew what he was doing and that he belonged. He did have poor shooting performances at times and went long stretches without scoring. Other times he showed his scoring touch and that he was not afraid to shoot. Raptors with their own D-League team will allow Caboclo to continue development with minutes on the court. He’s adjusting at a good pace and reaching the Raptors rotation by next season is not an unreasonable expectation.

Lucas Nogueira – more than a translator

Nogueira was acquired by the Raptors last summer in the John Salmons-Lou Williams trade. Also a Brazil native, Nogueira became Caboclo’s translator for English but the two also became really good friends. The seven-foot center has more to add to the Raptors than being an older brother to Caboclo. With his height and length Nogueira has raw talent that if brought to full potential could allow the 2013 16th overall pick to become an everyday NBA big man.

During the Raptors Summer League the big man showed that his game could be more than just rebounding and blocking shots. One of the more noticeable attributes to Nogueira’s game was his ability to pass. When Nogueira received the ball in the post he was able to pass the ball out to an open wing. When he had the ball under the rim he was able to make creative passes to an open teammate. His most impressive passes came from atop the key. Nogueira showed his capability to pass into the post for a teammate posting up or throwing it over the defenders head. Nogueira’s passing skills are rare for a young big man but a great sign for the Raptors.

Other positive signs by the big man came with his ability to finish at the rim. He showed when he received the ball within two feet of the basket he could finish over his defender. Also he ran some strong pick-and-rolls with the team’s guards. Nogueira like Caboclo still needs more time to develop and the Raptors 905’s will give him that chance to develop.

Delon Wright is right for the future

This year’s 20th overall pick was limited in Summer League play due to injury but showed some bright signs for the Raptors. In the Raptors third game, the first of which Wright missed, the team looked out of synch without their point guard. Which speaks volumes to Wirght’s game. In his minimum two games he showed that he can truly run a team offensively. Again it’s Summer League and early in Wright’s career but there were more positives than negatives.

Battle for the last spot

Partially guaranteed contracts at this point in the summer become very common. Teams begin to fill out their roster for training camp and sign players to try and battle for the last couple spots on the roster. For the Raptors there’s only one spot remaining and the battle has begun.

Ronald Roberts and Axel Toupane received partially guaranteed contracts from the Raptors after their play in Summer League. Roberts, a big man showed his offensive game in the post and his capability to rebound over bigger players. Toupane, a guard out of France has spent the last four seasons playing for Strasbourg. Either of the two could earn a roster spot with the Raptors but one or both will likely be fits on the Raptors 905 D-League roster.

Canadian’s to remember

Phil Scrubb and Jordan Bachyanski were two of three Canadians on the Raptors Summer League roster. Bachyanski’s younger brother Dallin was also on the roster but didn’t see any action.

Bachyanski was a key big man off the bench for the Raptors. Still very limited on offense, Bachyanski may not see much of a chance at the NBA. However, he did leave scouts with one good impression – the Calgary native can really play defense. Bachyanski is a mentally tough defender and will do anything for his team on that end of the court. At times he was seen hitting the floor to fight for the ball and he even stepped in to draw charges. Bachyanski always seemed to be in the right spot at the right time.

For Scrubb as a Carleton University alumni and CIS player playing in the NBA Summer League many wanted to see if the guard could play against NBA players. With Wright’s injury Scrubb became one of the first guards off the bench for the Raptors. He showed that he could keep an offense under control and at times he picked his spots to attack the rim. He also had a strong mid-range shot coming off of screens.

Both Canadians have a lot of growing to do and their basketball futures will be something to keep an eye on.