BREAKING: NBA Draft Prospects Who Fit The Toronto Raptors’ Needs
Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri hinted at the type of players they’ll pursue in this year’s NBA Draft. The NBA Draft Lottery, scheduled for May 12th, holds significant importance for the Raptors and their supporters as they possess a Top 6 protected pick currently belonging to the San Antonio Spurs.
Presently, Toronto holds the sixth-best odds in the lottery, aiming to maintain this position to access top talent. There’s a 37.2 percent chance of moving into the top four and a 9 percent chance of securing the first overall pick, offering optimism.
However, there’s a downside: if a team below them jumps into the top four, the Raptors would drop to the sixth spot, forfeiting their pick to the Spurs.
For the purpose of discussion, let’s assume the Raptors retain their lottery pick and explore the potential selections available to them. This includes three picks in total: their lottery pick, Indiana’s 19th selection, and the 31st pick in the second round.
On Dennis Schroder and past FA signings from the Raptors:
"We've studied all of this and we just haven't done very well in assessing what those fits could be."
"On the lower level, we need to do a better job of finding those players."
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) April 17, 2024
Having three picks presents a significant opportunity for the Raptors to bolster their young team, addressing multiple areas of need. Interestingly, Ujiri previously outlined three specific needs for the team’s draft considerations in his end-of-season press conference.
Taking into consideration these requirements, here are a few top choices within this category to provide the Raptors with what they seek.
Back-Up Point Guard
Toronto could look to address this early, or take their time
When all is considered, Topic has the potential to emerge as the standout player from this year’s draft class. There’s much admiration for his skills. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing approximately 200 pounds, he possesses a significant size advantage over most point guards, which he utilizes effectively as a skilled finisher around the basket. His driving prowess consistently challenges opposing defenses, and he typically makes the right decisions on offense.
Topic demonstrates his high basketball IQ in various ways, often by methodically manipulating defenses before making decisive moves. Additionally, he excels as a passer, capable of orchestrating an offense with ease.
However, Topic’s ultimate success in the NBA may hinge on his ability to improve his shooting, particularly from beyond the arc. Currently, he struggles with consistency, shooting around 25 percent on three-point attempts during his time playing overseas. If Topic can gradually refine this aspect of his game, he will become a formidable offensive threat that poses significant challenges for opposing defenses.
Could Be Available Later: Isaiah Collier (USC)
Collier is a prospect who may slide in the draft rankings enough for the Raptors to select him with the 19th pick. Despite the pre-season spotlight on Bronny James, it was Collier who impressed at USC. He demonstrated a strong scoring ability with efficiency and drew fouls effectively, averaging 5.8 free throw attempts per game.
| Isaiah Collier – USC Freshman Year Stats | |
|---|---|
| PPG | 16.3 |
| APG | 4.3 |
| FG% | 49.0 |
| FT% | 67.3 |
However, Collier still has areas to improve. He struggled with turnovers, averaging 3.3 per game in 30 minutes of play. Given his proficiency in drawing fouls, there’s an expectation for him to convert free throws at a higher rate than his current 67.3 percent.
While Collier has the potential to address Toronto’s needs, Coach Darko Rajaković will need to dedicate time to refining his skills.
Wing Defender
There are plenty of talented options to fill this need in the draft
Holland possesses an exceptional level of energy and drive, which ranks among the highest in draft prospects. This quality greatly contributes to his effectiveness as one of the top defenders in his class, as he excels in converting defensive plays into offensive opportunities.
With an average of 2.3 steals per game, Holland demonstrates remarkable skill in anticipating passes and applying intense on-ball pressure. He capitalizes on these defensive plays by swiftly transitioning into offense, proving to be a formidable force to contend with in fast-break situations.
The synergy between Holland’s defensive prowess and his ability to penetrate through defenses makes him a promising prospect to keep an eye on, particularly for teams in need of such attributes.
Could Be Available Later: Dillon Jones (Weber State)
The Raptors might consider Jones as a potential pick at the 31st spot in the draft. One drawback is his age for a prospect; having completed his senior year in college basketball, he’ll enter the league at nearly 23.
| Dillon Jones – Weber State Senior Year Stats | |
|---|---|
| PPG | 20.8 |
| RPG | 9.8 |
| SPG | 2.0 |
| Defensive Win Shares | 2.6 |
Nonetheless, if Toronto seeks a dependable role player with this pick, Jones could be a decent choice. Demonstrating proficiency both defensively and as a scorer during his senior season, despite his height of just 6’6″, he presents an appealing option in the second round to fulfill the team’s needs, particularly in defense and rebounding.
Back-Up Big Man
The bigs in this draft class come with a lot of intrigue
Clingan’s rise to prominence is well-deserved, particularly following his pivotal role in leading his team, the Huskies, to victory in the National Title during March Madness. His standout performance during the tournament has significantly elevated his standing in the draft rankings, placing him prominently in the top tier of most mock drafts.
Noteworthy for his prowess in rebounding and defense, Clingan’s statistics speak volumes. Despite averaging 7.4 rebounds in just 22.5 minutes per game, when extrapolated to per 36 minutes, his average rises to an impressive 11.8 rebounds. Additionally, he exhibited strong defensive capabilities, averaging 2.5 blocks per game, effectively safeguarding the paint for UConn.
Given his skill set, Clingan presents a compelling option for the Raptors, potentially serving as an immediate asset as their backup center. There’s even speculation that he could eventually overtake the current starter, Jakob Poeltl, in the team’s rotation.
Could Be Available Later: Tyler Smith (G-League Ignite)
“If the Raptors are seeking a player with greater agility and a modern playing style, Smith could fit the bill. He offers a contrasting skill set compared to Clingan, emphasizing offense. Considering him around the 19th pick would signify a shift towards a more offensive approach for the Raptors.
| Tyler Smith – 2023-24 Ignite Stats | |
|---|---|
| PPG | 13.7 |
| RPG | 5.1 |
| FG% | 48.0 |
| 3PT% | 36.0 |
Smith is better suited as a power forward rather than a center. However, pairing him with Kelly Olynyk off the bench could be experimented with by Toronto, particularly to capitalize on improved spacing. This tandem could create ample driving lanes for RJ Barrett or Scottie Barnes, depending on the lineup.”