The Toronto Raptors draft plans in 2021 has been incredibly hard to nail down, as the Raptors went from a team competing for the top selection in the draft to a club competing for a spot in the late 20s to somewhere in the middle after a rough stretch of late.
Masai Ujiri is likely already formulating draft plans for what is supposed to be a very competitive class, even if Toronto might be too good to snag a game-changer like Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham or USC’s Evan Mobley.
Ujiri has gambled on some athletic projects over the years, but the selections of Malachi Flynn, Jalen Harris, and OG Anunoby in the last few seasons show that Ujiri favors players that have several years of experience at reputable college programs.
The Raptors, who have just one pick in this year’s draft, could end up snagging an experienced player that helps Toronto plug a hole on their roster without requiring a ton of development time, like one of these four seniors.
The Raptors draft plans could include one of these 4 seniors
The Raptors have holes at shooting guard, lack depth down in the low post, and are in need of a stretch power forward. These four players should rectify that if Toronto ends up using their pick on them.
Raptors draft target No. 4: Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon
After a wild college career that included a stop at junior college, Duarte was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year during his final season in Eugene, scoring 16.8 points per game on 53% shooting while making 44% of his 5.5 3-point attempts per game. Duarte has been flying up draft boards due to his skills on both ends of the floor.
Duarte, a quality rebounder for his size, uses his wingspan and high motor to shut down opposing shooters on the perimeter, all the while getting plenty of steals to get the Ducks moving in transition. With Norman Powell’s situation for 2021 unsettled, Duarte could be a natural replacement near the end of Round 1.
How would Chris Duarte fit with the Raptors?
The Raptors need some more scoring, either off of the bench or in the starting lineup, Durate can get hot from beyond the arc, create his own shot off of the dribble, and finish at the rim. Considering how old he is, he could slide right into the rotation without a ton of time in the G League.
Duarte is going to turn 24 soon, and that could limit his potential upside, as will the fact that his athletic ability is generally subpar when compared with some younger pups in this class. However, Duarte has proven to be ther do-it-all force the Ducks needed this season, and a coach who preaches versatility in Nick Nurse would get a very intriguing player to work with in Duarte.
Raptors draft target No. 3: Isaiah Livers, SF, Michigan
Juwan Howard and the Wolverines will compete for a national championship, and the performance of seniors like Livers and Franz Wagner are a huge reason why. Livers saved his best season in Ann Arbor for last, as he has attracted the attention of some NBA scouts.
A 6-7 power forward, Livers has averaged 13.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, all the while making 45% of his 5.1 3-pointers per game. The Raptors could use more power forward help if they intend to stick with Pascal Siakam at center in a small-ball lineup, and Livers could give them a sweet-shooting option off of the bench.
How would Isaiah Livers help the Raptors?
Livers might’ve improved from the early parts of his Michigan career, but his on-ball defense isn’t fantastic and he isn’t the best creator on the offensive end, but there will always be a market for guys his size with a shooting stroke and the ability to make crisp passes to keep the ball moving, and Livers could capitalize.
The Raptors don’t have a second-round pick, but they could snag Livers in this round, as his defensive deficiencies will really weigh on his stock. However, Ujiri could end his slide, as his stroke is too enticing to pass up on.
Raptors draft target No. 2: Luka Garza, C, Iowa
Garza, who has won Big Ten Player of the Year twice during his time at Iowa, is a very puzzling prospect, as one would be hard-pressed to find a mock draft that has him going in the first round despite the fact that he has averaged 23.8 points and 9.3 rebounds over the last two seasons with the Hawkeyes.
Garza has really improved his shooting, as his 3-point percentage jumped all the way up to 43% this season. Why is Garza not mocked high? His defense, which is due in part to a lack of mobility in the post. If Ujiri is comfortable with those two warts, Garza could end up in Toronto.
How would Luka Garza fit with the Raptors?
The Raptors have shown they are willing to put up with some defensive deficiencies if it means that they’ll get a stud player on the offensive end, and Garza should have no trouble scoring in the paint and pulling down rebounds at the NBA level. His shooting only makes him a more attractive prospect.
Garza will need to be hidden on the defensive end, which is a deficiency that he might never be able to overcome. However, the number of players who can claim to possess his complete set of skills on the offensive end at that position are few and far between in this class, and he could become a quality role player for Toronto.
Raptors draft target No. 1: Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga
If the Raptors bottom out and end up in the lottery, they should refocus all of their attention on landing Kispert. While Jalen Suggs will likely be picked within the first five selections and Drew Timme is filling up the stat sheet, it’s Kispert who led the Bulldogs in scoring while winning WCC player of the year.
Kispert is averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting 44% from beyond the arc. Those numbers are actually somewhat dishonest, as a poor stretch of late masked the fact he was close to 50% from deep for a good chunk of the season.
How would Corey Kispert help the Raptors?
Kispert would instantly be a starter, as he can drain it from deep, handle the ball, run the floor, and be a presence on the defensive end thanks to his rebounding. While not the greatest on-ball defender in the world, he could see his skills in that area improve with time.
Kispert is the type of offensive player that the Raptors could build around in the post-Lowry and, potentially, post-Powell era. Kispert should be able to hop right into the starting lineup and start draining 3-pointers.