The tank is on for the Toronto Raptors, whether they wanted it or not. Now 23-47, Toronto is the odds-on favorite for the sixth overall pick. As a result, a first-round pick that was supposed to be conveyed to the San Antonio Spurs for their acquisition of Jakob Poeltl will be delayed for another draft cycle.
Raptors Take Back Lottery Pick from Spurs Amid Tank
There’s still a chance that the Raptors’ pick lands outside the 2024 NBA Draft due to the NBA Draft Lottery. With the current odds, Toronto has a 24.3 percent chance of landing a pick outside the top six. They have a 37.2 percent chance of landing a top-four pick.
With the sixth overall pick or one that lands within the top four, the Raptors should be looking at finding one of three types of prospects.
Off-Ball Wing
The first is an off-ball wing that can either take over for Gary Trent Jr. or be more consistent. At the beginning of the 2023-24 season, this appeared to be Baylor freshman Ja’Kobe Walter. However, Walter has proven to be a streaky outside shooter.
With that, Kentucky guards Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham become options for the Raptors at No. 6. JL Bourg forward Zaccharie Risacher and Colorado swingman Cody Williams should also be considered.
All four players are among the most consistent 3-point threats in the 2024 NBA Draft class. They each have defensive upside as well, with Williams likely having the most positional versatility at the next level.
Playmaking Point
The second is a point guard that allows Immanuel Quickley to focus on scoring. Such a prospect would also make life easier for Poeltl, Scottie Barnes, and RJ Barrett as well.
Barnes has often had to create his own offense. Though he’s performed respectably as a shot-creator, mixing in more cuts and pick-and-roll play would benefit him. Barrett is another player that’s at their best on the way to the rim, and enhanced point guard play would blend well with his scoring off of cuts. A floor general would also make Poeltl more useful offensively.
Prospects for the Raptors to consider are Red Star point guard Nikola Topic, USC guard Isaiah Collier, and UConn guard Stephon Castle. Topic is the highest-ranked, while Collier has the most offensive potential and Castle has the best defensive projection. Each has shooting concerns from deep.
Shot-Blocking Center
The third is an elite rim-protector. Gradey Dick, last year’s lottery pick, could start at shooting guard next season. Quickley, Barrett, and Barnes also projected to be starters.
Subsequently, one position is more likely to be tinkered with than the others; center. With that said, Poeltl is a well-rounded big man. However, he doesn’t offer enough as a rim-protector to warrant him being guaranteed a starting role with this version of the Raptors.
To that point, the Raptors are a poor defensive team. Dick, who has the potential their best off-ball shooter, may always be vulnerable when guarding the better scorer or athletes. As a result, having a rim-protector that can anchor the backline as a shot-blocker will be key.
Prospects that fit that mold and could be available at No. 6 are Perth’s Alexandre Sarr, UConn’s Donovan Clingan, and NBA Academy Africa’s Ulrich Chomche.
