Raptors Mock Draft: Toronto takes Scottie Barnes’ old teammate

While Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri appears to have nailed it with the selection of Scottie Barnes in the 2021 NBA Draft, he needs to follow that selection up by adding another stud in 2022. The Raptors mock draft experts are already getting to work figuring out where Ujiri should go.

Adding depth on the bench would make a ton of sense, specifically on the perimeter. The lack of frontcourt skill is noticeable, but the draft is full of young swingmen with solid 3-point shots in the lottery. Ujiri could plug this hole by burning some draft capital.

One thing that makes matters even more difficult for Toronto is the fact that players need to fit a certain profile to be drafted by the Raptors. In addition to being solid shooters, they need to have a long wingspan, impressive knowledge of the game, and defensive intensity. Luckily, there might be one lottery pick who fits that mold.

Insider Jeff Goodman of Stadium unveiled his original mock draft, and he has the Toronto Raptors selecting Michigan forward Caleb Houstan at No. 12 overall. A native of Mississauga, a former teammate of Barnes in high school, and top recruit with scoring punch, Houstan will check a ton of boxes for Ujiri.

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Houstan played alongside Barnes on that legendary Montverde Academy team that also included Cade Cunningham, Moses Moody, and Day’Ron Sharpe. Houstan may have started his tenure under Juwan Howard slow due to some poor shooting, but those struggles appear to be in the past.

Houstan is averaging 10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds while hitting 37% of his 3-pointers. Don’t let that percentage fool you, as Houstan looks like a player who could top 40% from deep in the pros. The term “knockdown shooter” certainly applies.

In addition to being an above-average shooter and shot-creator, Houstan profiles as an above-average passer that is constantly setting teammates up with good looks. His basketball intelligence is already showing on both ends, as he should be at least an average on-ball defender in his rookie season.

Houstan’s issues stem from the fact that he isn’t an amazing athletic prospect like Barnes, which could help him run into trouble early in his pro career. The lack of an explosive first step may make interior penetration difficult. Houstan profiles as a bit of a tweener, as he might be too skinny to take on full-time power forward work.

As a rookie, look for Houstan to provide some much-needed support off of the bench as a scorer. With some big names coming off the books after that season, Houstan could cement himself as a long-term piece.