Toronto Raptors: Should Jonathan Kuminga be discussed at pick No. 4?

The Toronto Raptors received their biggest piece of luck in over a year when the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery handed them the No. 4 selection. Long thought to be out of the running for many of the top prospects, ending up this high in the draft gives the Raptors a chance at landing Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green, or Jonathan Kuminga.

Odds are, one of the two Jalens will end up in Toronto, as Suggs could give them a point guard of the future while Green can provide instant top-flight scoring as a rookie. However, if we’re talking strictly about potential, Kuminga might end up with the highest ceiling of any of those three prospects.

Like Green, Kuminga opted out of college basketball, and the Congolese stud played against him as a member of the G League’s Ignite team. While Green looks like the more pro-ready prospect, Kuminga flashed all of the traits that made him one of the most sought-after recruits in his class.

While both Suggs and Green look like impact players from the jump, will the Raptors consider going against the grain and adding a forward with Kuminga’s insane potential?

Should the Toronto Raptors consider Jonathan Kuminga?

Kuminga averaged 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in the G League this season, and those numbers came on a team loaded with top prospects looking to make a name for themselves. Kuminga showed the jaw-dropping athletic ability that has scouts raving about his potential.

With a 6-8 frame and a quality handle for his size, the idea of Kuminga running the floor, using his quickness to beat opposing bigs in the post, and switching onto multiple positions on the defensive end could be so mouth-watering that Toronto has to take him.

However, Kuminga’s offensive numbers came while he was shooting 38% from the field and 24.5% from 3-point range. Not only are those numbers unacceptable for a coach like Nick Nurse, but they might not improve in Year 1 given how playing time might be tough to come by.

Kuminga’s biggest problem for Toronto could be his position. With OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, when the latter is healthy, locked in at the small forward and power forward spots, where could Kuminga play? Getting all three of them on the court at the same time could lead to some funky lineup combinations.

Someone is going to get a tremendous prospect in Kuminga, as his two-way potential and boundless verticality will serve him well at the professional level. However, while the Raptors should do their homework on him, they would be better off taking either Green or Suggs.