Raptors Mock Draft: A Duke star and a lanky Lithuanian youth arrive in Toronto
The NBA’s remaining teams have finished their season and are now focusing on strengthening their rosters in order to contend for a championship in the upcoming years. This includes the Toronto Raptors, who had such a dismal season that they have the sixth-best lottery odds going into the thick of the selection cycle, offering them a chance to add a top-tier prospect in the 2024 NBA selection.
The Raptors may use the draft to bolster their roster.
With a first-round selection plus a pick in the late teens, the Raptors may potentially add three players who can make a big impact this season. That will help a team that could use some fresh talent to supplement the nearly entirely rotated roster over the last two seasons.
Many people believe that the 2024 NBA Draft class is weak, however this is mostly to emphasize the dearth of star-caliber players. There appears to be good depth for teams searching for starters and rotation players, and the Raptors could use a few more useful players on their roster.
The most recent 2024 NBA Mock Draft was released by ESPN’s draft experts, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, who examined all 58 picks in the current draft. ESPN is presuming that the lottery order remains the same until the Draft Lottery takes place in a few weeks, which implies the Raptors selected at No. 6, No. 18, and No. 31.
Who emerged victorious for the Raptors? Let’s quickly examine each of the three players.
No. 6 pick: Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite
Matas Buzelis was one of the few elite prospects to play for the squad in the last season of the G League Ignite program, and he has held his value far better than his teammates. The 6’11” Buzelis is a towering forward and offensive hub who possesses the handling, passing, and finishing ability of a much smaller player.
Buzelis’s major area of concern is his shooting, and this past season he committed a lot of turnovers. However, once they enter the league, G League Ignite prospects have typically outperformed their draft position, and his skill set is sufficiently diverse and astute to make him a great complement to another versatile player in Scottie Barnes. He’s a great pick at No. 6 if Toronto believes the shot is genuine.
No. 18 pick: Jared McCain, Duke Blue Devils
When Duke advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament and Jared McCain was the team’s top scorer, there was a moment when it appeared that McCain would finish in the top 10. The excitement around him has subsided a little, and his chances of landing in the top 20 are more likely to be between 10 and 20, but if the league lets McCain fall, Toronto will benefit.
The 6’3″ McCain, who was at ease and capable of shooting off the dribble as well as off the catch, was one of the top shooters in college basketball last season. He can play alongside Immanuel Quickley and is a great backup guard off the bench because he has a tight handle and outstanding passing ability. As a smaller guard who probably won’t be a good enough finisher to carry an offense, he doesn’t have the star potential, but his shooting will make him a weapon right away.
No. 31 pick: Ryan Dunn, Virginia Cavaliers
The top defensive player in college basketball was passed over in the draft a couple seasons ago due to doubts about his offensive ability. After Herb Jones joined the league, he disproved everyone by honing his 3-point shooting and played so brilliantly on defense that the New Orleans Pelicans were unable to stop him from the court.
Ryan Dunn, the top defensive prospect in the 2024 Draft class, seems to fit that theory. With a wingspan of 7’1″, his stature of 6’8″ makes him an excellent defender in any situation. He also excels at helping out and guarding the rim.
Is he the class’s worst offensive player as well as a bricklayer who can’t make free throws and defend the paint from beyond the paint? Can Dunn improve his NBA shot to a respectable level? If not, is he capable of become a smallball five who gets minutes for defense?
These three guys would provide the Toronto Raptors with some fascinating youthful depth to add to their team, each bringing something special to the table. The Raptors would probably leave the draft with high marks and a more promising future for the team if things went this way.