The Toronto Raptors have seen their season mercifully come to an end, as they wrapped up their first campaign in almost a decade that saw them sitting at home instead of playing playoff basketball. Raptors mock draft season has also begun with this development, as the NBA Draft nuts out there are trying their best to build this squad back up.
Although their tournament performance did not speak to their quality, the Big Ten might be able to give Toronto plenty of reinforcements, both with the No. 7 pick Toronto is currently in line for and the second-round picks they acquired via the Terence Davis and Matt Thomas trades.
Masai Ujiri has shown over the years that he values versatility, experience at the collegiate level that could help cut development time in half, and production in a major conference. Luckily, there are plenty of players that can check some or all of those boxes in this class.
If the Raptors want to get over the fact that they were eliminated from contention and make some noise next year, drafting one of these three studs could help Toronto quickly turn around and make it back to the postseason.
The Raptors have officially been eliminated from play-in contention.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) May 11, 2021
Toronto Raptors Big Ten exclusive NBA Mock Draft
While there is a bit of a drop-off outside of the top five prospects in this class, Wagner might be one of the few who ends up separating from the rest in a crowded miasma of talented lottery picks. Michigan didn’t win the title, but the younger brother of Moritz Wagner has enough talent to adjust to the pros very quickly.
Wagner is a 6-9 forward with guard-like handles, passing ability, and shooting skill. Need a ball-handling guard? He can do that given his ability to snipe from deep. Need a more versatile wing? He can do that to, as he is every bit go 6-9 with enough bulk and tenacity to defend the wing and down on the block.
Toronto Raptors mock draft: Franz Wagner could be a star.
The Raptors, with or without Kyle Lowry, will have most of their lineup set in stone, meaning that Wagner will likely be a Sixth Man in his first season. With any one of four sports to deploy him at, Nick Nurse can get very creative with how he is used right out of the gate. Double digits in scoring could be a solid expectation for him.
Wagner is a bit of a limited athlete, and his defense very rarely escapes the dizzying heights of “basically OK”, but his offensive potential is too enticing for the Raptors to pass up. He will be an instant contributor and potential starter as soon as he touches down in the NBA, making a safer pick than some potential lottery picks.