It’s starting to turn into Toronto Raptors mock draft time after their recent run of futility. While the Raptors haven’t had to go through the rigors of NBA mock draft season for the longest time, their horrid month of March has rooted them firmly in the lottery, currently positioning them with the seventh-highest chance of winning it and picking Cade Cunnigham or Evan Mobley.
The Raptors could need a new point guard if Kyle Lowry leaves this offseason, some wing depth to replace Norman Powell with or without Gary Trent Jr. on board, and a starting center that can finally help the Raptors rebound and guard the paint.
The draft is year promises to be one of the deepest in memory. While it is short on truly elite centers, it more than makes up for that with quality perimeter scorers and game-changing talents on the wing.
If the current draft order magically holds, and the Raptors end up with the No. 7 pick in the draft, this is how the NBA Draft could unfold.
Who do the Toronto Raptors take in NBA Mock Draft 1.0?
The Timberwolves have the best lottery odds this season, and this is indeed one of those drafts with a clear top dog in this class. While they have D’Angelo Russell, the potential to pair the 6-8 Cunningham with Russell, Anthony Edwards, and Karl-Anthony Towns would give Minnesota four stars picked in within the first two picks in their respective drafts.
Cunningham isn’t a perfect prospect, but he’s darn close. A 6-8 guard with tremendous defense, high basketball IQ, a lethal shooting stroke from all areas of the court, and the leadership ability scouts and coaches covet, Cunningham will make sure that the draft starts at pick No. 2 given how dominant he was at times.
The Pistons might’ve picked up several wins against the Raptors this season, but this is still one of the worst teams in the league. They already have a potential point guard of the future in Killian Hayes, so why not grab the consensus No. 1 big man in this draft in Mobley, the architect of USC’s tournament run?
He might not have the most expansive offensive game given his 215-pound frame, but the 7-0 Mobley is a genuine unicorn at the center position, as very few can run the floor, block shots, and absolutely devastate the basket in transition, all the while showing the ability to handle the ball and pass well. Mobley would be the man in Detroit for years to come.