The Toronto Raptors have one very high second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, though Masai Ujiri might not be above moving up or down in the order if he finds one player that really speaks to him. The SEC might have a handful of players that will mesh well with Toronto’s style.
While conference jewel Kentucky was upset by Saint Peter’s in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, teams like Arkansas and Auburn were able to show the strength of their group. The SEC will send yet another crop of future stars to the NBA in the 2022 class.
Toronto themselves are in the market for more backup point guard talent, shooters that will give Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby some extra support, and a big man that will improve Toronto’s rim protection. Even in the second round, Toronto is in a position to land a worthwhile contributor.
The Raptors need to bring on one of these four SEC prospects if they want to help remake their bench in the most robust way possible. All four of these prospects have the potential to be the next Norman Powell if they can develop alongside the rest of Toronto’s youngsters.
4 SEC prospects the Toronto Raptors might be able to draft.
Ellis is a very Raptors-like prospect due to his ability to guard multiple positions on defense despite his gangly, frail frame. Making 37% of his 3-pointers and being a quality offensive player without demanding the ball a ton will appeal to a Toronto team looking for more wing snipers.
Ellis averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last year for Alabama. Even though he didn’t have the ball in his hands frequently, Ellis was able to make an impact on an Alabama team that made it to the NCAA tournament. There’s your Svi Mykhailiuk replacement right there!
Keon Ellis might fit with the Toronto Raptors.
Ellis spent two years at a junior college before arriving in Tuscaloosa, so he might not offer as much developmental upside as some of the players he could be drafted alongside. Ellis is also not an amazing isolation scorer, which puts a cap on his offensive potential.
Ellis should be expected to come right in and make an impact on the Raptors thanks to his shooting and feistiness on defense. Ujiri has typically leaned into selecting players with multiple years of collegiate experience, and the older Ellis could check that experience box.
Williams is a very promising defender, as his 240-pound frame comes equipped with some very nice mobility skills and a quality feel for the game between the ears. A solid rebounder, Williams has made huge strides on the offensive side of the ball in his second season.
Williams nearly averaged a double-double for the Razorbacks while keying their run to the NCAA Tournament. With the wingspan needed to fit in with the Raptors, Toronto could be in a position to add yet another promising big man to their ranks.
Jaylin Williams looks like a scheme fit for the Toronto Raptors.
Williams only has one year of quality production in college, and his lack of shooting could take years to develop into a trait that frightens NBA defenders. Williams is likely going to need some developmental time with a G League team before he can be trusted in the NBA as a rotation player.
With the oft-injured Khem Birch’s status for next year still up in the air, Toronto may need a player like Williams to eat up some minutes if they move away from Birch. While he’s more projection than production at this moment, Williams plays like the type of big that Toronto has typically valued.
The Bulldogs’ offense this year revolved around giving the ball to Molinar and letting him go to work. The Panamanian guard has been crafty and smooth enough as a scorer to get NBA teams interested. Molinar’s handles and pull-up game is exactly what Toronto’s bench is missing.
With Malachi Flynn hanging on by a thread in the rotation and Armoni Brooks not a lock to make the roster next year, Molinar would provide the type of challenge both of these players need. His scoring ability at his size is so thoroughly impressive that he may just usurp those two in Nick Nurse’s rotation.
Iverson Molinar is a crafty scorer that may help the Toronto Raptors.
Molinar will likely only be able to defend point guards at the next level due to his frame, which could give Toronto some pause for thought. His 3-point shot is questionable, as he shot 44% last year and 25% this year despite some identical volume. Which one is it, Iverson?
So much of Molinar’s potential in the pros will be incumbent on rediscovering that 3-point shot. If he’s on from 3-point range, the Raptors could find an ideal VanVleet backup. If he plays like he did last year, Toronto might not get the immediate returns they may have expected from him.
A North Carolina transfer, Kessler was so dominant that he nearly averaged five blocks per game last year. A quality rebounder and the best shot-blocker in the country, Kessler might not be available at 33. Masai Ujiri will need to move up to get a rim protector with his level of defensive skill.
Kessler’s 7-1 frame will make him a nice dunker spot candidate and roll-man that the Raptors have often lacked this season. His finishing was much better at Auburn. When a more traditional center is required, moving up to get Kessler might be enough to make sure that Toronto can defend the paint.
Walker Kessler would vastly improve the Toronto Raptors’ defense.
Kessler is not going to be a very advanced offensive player in his rookie season. His attempts at getting a jumper down pat were largely underwhelming, and that might not be enough to get teams interested in him. He’s not an amazing athlete to add insult to injury.
Kessler was named the best defensive player in college basketball, which should serve as even more evidence that the shot-blocking will translate to the pros. Even if he never becomes an offensive threat, getting a long-term backup that helps reinforce the defense is not a bad idea at this juncture in the NBA Draft.