The Toronto Raptors have had a forgettable season, to say the least. The Raptors were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in 8 seasons as they just couldn’t overcome what seemed like a complete tidal wave of bad luck that ruined the season before it even began. This Raptors draft will be more important than the NBA Draft has been in years.
With the season officially a wash, the focus has now shifted towards the NBA draft. The Raptors hold the seventh-best odds at the No. 1 pick with a 7.5% chance and have a 31.9% chance at a top-four pick.
The 2021 draft class is one of the deepest ones in recent memory, which bodes very well for a Raptors team that needs a franchise cornerstone to drag them out of the doldrums.
The consensus top-four prospects include Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, and Jalen Green. All of whom are seen as a tier above the rest and are expected to make huge impacts for their new teams.
Best NBA Draft since 1996? & 2003 ? I think this year 2020-2021 class too crazy.
— Frank MatthewZ🇭🇹 (@NickSpacely) April 9, 2021
If the Raptors end up picking at seven or even drop a couple of spots, they’re still in range of picking up a good prospect such as Scottie Barnes or Jalen Johnson. However, adding a top-four pick could be just what the Raptors need to become contenders in the east for years to come.
With the top four prospects in this draft far ahead of the rest of the common rabble, which of these game-changers should the Raptors prioritize. From best to worst, let’s examine them.
How should the top 4 prospects be ordered on the Raptors draft board?
1. Cade Cunningham, PG, Oklahoma State
The clear number one pick in this draft, Cade Cunningham is a nightmare for opposing teams. Standing at 6-8 and 220 pounds, Cunningham’s size paired with his playmaking and scoring ability has NBA front offices drooling over the possibility of drafting him.
Cunningham’s size allows him to play the 1-3 positions, even the 4 in small-ball situations. Cunningham would instantly become the Raptors starting point guard, keeping VanVleet at the 2-guard. This would continue the trend of the two point guard starting lineup that the Raptors have run with the last 2 seasons.
Toronto Raptors draft: Cade Cunningham can do it all.
It’s hard to watch Cunningham and not immediately see Luka Doncic. Cunningham’s playmaking ability is better than any player currently on the Raptors. He’s capable of making every pass in the book and does so with ease.
Both VanVleet and OG Anunoby would benefit greatly from Cunningham’s ability to kick it to open shooters, while Siakam would take advantage of Cunningham’s playmaking ability in the pick-and-roll.
The Raptors have struggled to find a true “closer” in the clutch since the departure of Kawhi Leonard. Cunningham is more than capable of creating his own shot and getting a bucket when counted on.
His size allows him to bully his way into the paint for easy points on smaller defenders, while his jump shot keeps defenders on their toes. In his lone college season at Oklahoma State, he shot 40% from behind the arc. His improved mid-range game shows that he’s capable of being a 3-level scorer, something that the Raptors desperately need.
On defense, Cunningham is at his best when he’s guarding wings because of his size/length. He has great athleticism for his size, but it’s a tough ask for him to defend quick/crafty guards for most of the game.
The Raptors have just a 7.5% chance at landing the number one pick, but if the lottery balls go the Raptors way, Cade Cunningham would be an easy decision for Masai Ujiri.
2. Jalen Green, SG, G League Ignite
Arguably the most electrifying prospect in this draft, Jalen Green’s athleticism is like none other. He’s the best scorer in the draft by a good margin. He creates his own shot and is able to score from anywhere on the court making him a true 3-level scorer.
Athleticism is something that can’t be coached into a player, which is a reason why any team would love to add Green. He arguably has the highest ceiling in the draft, and his scoring ability is something teams can’t ignore.
Standing at 6-5 and 180 pounds, Jalen Green is a pure shooting guard. If Jalen Green wants to become a versatile wing that can play multiple positions, he has to add some weight for that to happen.
Toronto Raptors draft: Why Jalen Green over Evan Mobley?
Many Raptors fans are infatuated with Mobley and for good reason. Mobley is a fantastic prospect and the Raptors have struggled mightily this season, predominantly at the center position. On paper, it seems like a no-brainer decision to take Mobley and immediately slot him at the 5. However, Green may be the better pick for both the present and the future.
The NBA is starting to move away from the center position. Not that the center position is useless, but they are less valued in the modern era. In fact, the Raptors may not need an elite center. Since the addition of Khem Birch and Freddie Gillespie, the Raptors have improved their rebounding woes and just look way better out there when they have a capable center.
Green is exactly who the Raptors need. He’s the closer that the Raptors have been lacking the last two seasons, and if Green reaches his ceiling, he’s someone that can average 25 points effortlessly. Considering the Raptors’ track record, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Green reach his full potential under the Raptors development system.
Jalen Green can bring the best out of Pascal Siakam
Since the departure of Leonard, Siakam has taken over as the team’s first option for the past 2 seasons. Though his PPG average has gone up, his field goal percentage has dropped about 10% since the 2018-19 season. When opposing teams had to focus on Kawhi, Siakam thrived as the team’s second option on route to the franchise’s first NBA Championship.
Jalen Green can help bring back that same Siakam. If Green develops into the elite 3-level scorer that he has the potential to become, then teams will have to turn their focus to him on defense. Green’s presence on the floor allows Siakam to go to work on likely the team’s second or third best defender when all the attention is on Green.
3. Evan Mobley, C, USC
The best big in the draft, Mobley is a dream scenario for Raptors fans. Standing at 7-0 and 215 pounds, Mobley’s potential as a prospect is through the roof, some even calling him the NBA’s next “unicorn”.
Mobley is exactly what NBA teams dream of when drawing up the perfect modern-day center. In his lone season at USC, he’s shown that he can do it all on both ends of the floor. For the Raptors, Mobley would arguably be the best fit out of any prospect right now due to the lackluster play at center this season.
Toronto Raptors draft: Evan Mobley is a rare talent at center
Mobley has aspects to his game that most centers these days don’t have. Due to his lengthy frame, Mobley relies on his finesse on the offensive end. He’s shown the ability to handle the ball and can also be relied on to make the tough passes, something you just don’t see from centers these days.
Mobley’s athleticism makes him an incredible lob threat, something the Raptors have used a lot more since adding a physical center in Birch. The Raptors also love using the pick-and-pop when their centers were capable shooters.
Mobley has shown promise in that area, where he shot 30% from behind the arc last season. He’s going to need to improve that percentage at the next level, but he has a smooth-looking jumper that should only get better as he gains more experience.
On the defensive end, Mobley is incredible. His 7-foot-4 wingspan makes him an elite shot-blocker, where he averaged 2.9 blocks per game. Not many centers have the ability to guard the perimeter, but Mobley is not your typical center.
His lengthy frame allows him to guard the perimeter at a good level. He’s able to switch onto smaller guards and his quick feet ensure he won’t get blown by unlike other bigs.
Mobley has tremendous upside, but his skinny frame has scouts wondering if his game can translate to the NBA. He needs to add weight to be able to defend centers like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic on a nightly basis. Adding weight would be a tough task considering most of his game relies on his finesse.
4. Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga
The leader to Gonzaga’s 31-1 record, Suggs might be the perfect heir apparent to Kyle Lowry. Standing at 6’4, 205 lbs, Suggs’ IQ mixed with his elite playmaking is exactly what NBA front offices are looking for in their franchise point guard.
Suggs was a dual-threat quarterback in high school and reportedly had D-1 offers on the table before committing to Gonzaga. If Lowry leaves this off-season, Suggs could fill Lowry’s role almost immediately. Suggs’ athleticism and playmaking ability is something that the Raptors’ current point guards lack.
Toronto Raptors draft: Jalen Suggs has what it takes to be a franchise PG
Suggs is one of, if not, the best playmakers in this draft. In his one season at Gonzaga, Suggs showed off his QB skills by making crazy full-court passes to his teammates. Suggs height and athleticism allow him to blow by defenders while also finishing strong at the rim.
While Suggs is great as a playmaker, he may not be as polished as a scorer. From the midrange, he’s confident and has no issue pulling up beyond the free throw line. He’s struggled to find consistency from 3, where he shot just 33% on the season.
On the defensive end, Suggs is exactly who the Raptors would love. His hustle is like none other, and his frame and quick feet allow him to defend the shiftiest players on the court. He has a knack for stripping the ball from opponents on defense, where he averaged 1.9 SPG last season.
Drafting Suggs would be a “best player available” approach
Out of the top four prospects, Suggs would likely be ranked last on the Raptors draft board. Even with the departure of Kyle Lowry likely this off-season, adding Suggs would be an odd fit due to a crowded backcourt already in place.
If the Raptors are on the clock, and believe Suggs is the best player available, they have to select him and figure the fit out later. The fit shouldn’t deter them from taking Suggs, considering they haven’t been shy of having multiple point guards on the roster in the past.
Flynn and VanVleet are both similar in the sense that they’re both undersized guards that look to score. Suggs would give the Raptors a different point guard because of his frame, athleticism, and playmaking instincts.