Toronto Raptors: 3 nightmare scenarios on NBA Draft night

1. Drafting Scottie Barnes without trading down

While Suggs remains the betting favorite to be picked No. 4 overall, considering both his quality as a prospect and Toronto’s need for a point guard that can start long-term, the Raptors remain connected to Barnes, intrigued by the 6-9 point guard/power forward hybrid’s potential on both sides.

The Raptors drafting Barnes at No. 4 overall, allowing Suggs to slip to the Magic at No. 5, would be an egregious error. If they want him so bad, the only way to acquire him should be trading down with Orlando at No. 5 or Oklahoma City at No. 6.

Scottie Barnes shouldn’t be the Raptors’ pick at No. 4.

If the Raptors are going to allow another team to take Suggs while taking on what could be an extensive offensive developmental project in Barnes, the least they could do is get some extra draft capital, preferable another first-rounder from two franchises with plenty of extra capital in Oklahoma City in Orlando.

Passing on Suggs in favor of Barnes wouldn’t be the most egregious move in the world given how talented Barnes is, but Suggs definitely looks like the safer of the two prospects, and the Raptors choosing to take a huge risk with their highest draft pick in over a decade may not be well received.