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Toronto Raptors: The pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo and what the roster could look like in 2021

By Mark Birdsell

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks peaks with the media during a press conference after the 2019 NBA Awards Show at the Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images)
SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks peaks with the media during a press conference after the 2019 NBA Awards Show at the Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Kahlil Whitney (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

What players should the Raptors target in the draft?

The college basketball season hasn’t even started, but most sites have already released their way-too-early 2020 mock drafts. Two names that the Raptors might want to keep an eye on: Kahlil Whitney and A.J. Lawson. Jonathan Givony of ESPN currently has them being selected 19 and 27, respectably.

Whitney is heading to Kentucky next season. He is a wing player in the mold of Jaylen Brown. Whitney has excellent measurements for a small forward, standing 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan. Whitney is supremely athletic. He has a 40 inch vertical and all the tools to become an outstanding two-way player.

As a wing, Whitney is best in transition. He is capable of finishing above the rim and should provide countless highlight-reel dunks. Whitney is also a strong defender capable of guarding multiple positions. He needs to improve as a shooter, but Whitney is exactly the type of player the Raptors have historically targeted.

Lawson, on the other hand, is a 6-foot-6 combo guard. Lawson spent this past season with the University of South Carolina. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game as a freshman.

Lawson has been making the rounds this summer. He played for Canada at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Lawson used the opportunity to improve his draft stock. He averaged a team-high 16.7 points per game while shooting 39.6 percent from three-point range.

Once he was done with the national team, Lawson was invited to participate in the Chris Paul Elite Guard Camp. Lawson was given the chance to learn from one of the best point guards of all time. A role he looks to play more next season with the Gamecocks.

Assuming the Raptors are still a playoff team in 2020-21, they will once again end up with another late first-round pick. It is far too early to project who they may select.

However, one intriguing name is Alex Antetokounmpo. Giannis’ youngest brother is only 17 years old but is already projected to be a first-round pick in 2021. For salary-cap purposes let’s assume the Raptors end up with the no. 20 pick.

What would the rough outlines of a 2021 depth chart begin to look like?

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