The Toronto Raptors were given a huge injection of luck as the NBA Draft draws closer, as they jumped up from No. 7 in the order to the No. 4 selection. This gives them a shot to land one of either G League star Jalen Green, Gonzaga point guard Jalen Suggs, or promising USC center Evan Mobley.
Both Green and Suggs could be instant impact starters, as they could pair with Fred VanVleet to give Toronto a super talented backcourt for the next decade. However, if the Raptors are looking to fix their biggest needs in this draft, they should hope that Mobley, a potential starter at center, slips down to them.
On top of the fact that Mobley is typically regarded as the best prospect in this draft not named Cade Cunningham, the fact that Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers, who own the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in this draft respectively, could both use a player with Mobley’s skillset might squash any hope of the Raptors taking him.
However, there is still plenty of time between now and the draft, and there are plenty of scenarios in which Mobley could end up slipping past Houston and Cleveland, falling right into Toronto’s lap.
Is there any chance Evan Mobley joins the Toronto Raptors?
Houston looks like the favorite to select Mobley, as with Kelly Olynyk hitting free agency, the idea of putting Mobley at center and Christian Wood at power forward seems like the ideal move. However, Houston isn’t exactly set in the backcourt.
Kevin Porter Jr. had some very nice moments last year, but is Houston willing to commit to him long-term? If they find some way to offload John Wall’s contract or buy him out, might they choose to add a guard?
Cleveland, meanwhile, still needs to answer the Jarrett Allen question.
The Houston Rockets has Christian Wood at center.
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) June 23, 2021
The Cleveland Cavaliers has Jarrett Allen at center.
Does Evan Mobley drop to the Raptors at FOUR? #NBADraftLottery
Allen is currently a restricted free agent, and it looks like he is going to earn a contract somewhere around the $100 million neighborhood. While they could ditch him and get Mobley, it will be hard to believe that they would let Allen walk after the season he had.
Collin Sexton’s name has also resurfaced in the trade market, as Cleveland could decide to jettison him after his best year ever in order to avoid paying him a ton of money in his next contract. If he gets traded, the Cavs could take a guard to pair with Darius Garland, and Mobley would fall to the Raptors.
The Raptors should by no means view Green or Suggs as a consolation prize, as they appear to have all the tools needed to become a franchise point guard. However, if Mobley should fall to them, they shouldn’t hesitate.