Toronto Raptors mock draft: Raps get Arkansas wing Moses Moody

Toronto Raptors mock draft time has befallen us, and the club’s status narrowly outside the top five picks at No. 7 means that they could have their pick of any number of premier athletes to build around. One player that looks like a better fit for this team with each passing day is Arkansas guard Moses Moody.

After just one season in Fayetteville, which saw him honored as the SEC’s best newcomer, Moody helped the Razorbacks land a No. 3 seed designation in the NCAA Tournament before bolting for the pros.

Moody is projected to go somewhere in the lottery by virtually every draft site, but Bleacher Report’s Khristopher Knox thinks that Moody might hear his name called earlier than expected by Toronto.

Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft has the Raptors snagging Moody with the No. 7 overall pick. In a draft where going best player available could end up being the strategy this front office decides to take, Moody is one of the more reliable prospects in this class given how he can impact the game on both ends of the floor.

Toronto Raptors mock draft: Moses Moody could contribute right away.

Moody struggled later in the season, but that shouldn’t cancel out a tremendous freshman campaign with Arkansas. Moody scored 16.8 points per game while making 42% of his shots and 35% of his 3-point attempts, though an offensive coach like Nick Nurse should get the most out of him on that end.

Moody has looks like a much more polished interior finisher than he did in his high school days, giving the Raptors hope he can eventually be someone who could shoulder the scoring load.

Moody’s perimeter defense is tremendous. At 6-8 with the ability to defend both guard spots in addition to playing on the wing, Moody’s long arms and tireless motor contributed to the struggles of many elite scorers against the Razorbacks this season. Toronto clearly emphasizes players that can exhibit versatility on defense, and Moody fits the bill in that regard.

Moody will need to beef up when he gets to the pros, as his Brandon Ingram-esque 185-pound frame might get ravaged by bigger wings as he starts to find his footing in the NBA. His ball handling could use some fine-tuning as well, but there is too much to like as a shooter and defender to pass up.

The age-old draft question if picking the finished product or the upside, Moody appears to be one of the safer bets in the lottery when compared to some of the toolsy athletic projections he ranks among. Moody should be able to be an ace sixth man from the jump before he eventually moves into the starting lineup and leads this team for the next decade, should he play his cards right.