Toronto Raptors: 3 nightmare NBA Draft lottery scenarios

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: A general view of the Toronto Raptors logo (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: A general view of the Toronto Raptors logo (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Bulls, Toronto Raptors
May 13, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Raptors center Khem Birch (24) defends Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Chicago gets a Top 4 pick.

While the quotable axiom states that the Bulls gave up multiple first-round picks in exchange for Nikola Vucevic, the Orlando Magic’s second first-round pick is actually Top-4 protected, meaning it will return to the Bulls if it lands in that range.

The Bulls might have missed the playoffs, but a team led by Vucevic inside, Zach LaVine on the wing, and Coby White at point guard will have some robust playoff chances in the wide-open Central division. That would be disastrous news for the Raptors.

The Bulls getting better will be bad news for the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors will likely be fighting for one of the final spots in the East, and the Bulls will be right there with them. This team had their hands full with Vucevic earlier in the year, so imagine what they could do with another dynamic scorer that could take away some of the scoring responsibility.

While a team like Orlando getting two Top 10 picks isn’t ideal either, they are at least further away from challenging the Raptors’ postseason hopes. The Bulls are a threat right now, and any chance they get to take a major step forward could be lethal to Toronto’s hopes of bouncing back so quickly.