The Toronto Raptors have one of the best second-round draft picks in their possession, giving them more than enough firepower to add a significant contributor to their ranks. After finding some stars in the ACC thanks to Scottie Barnes and others, the Pac-12 might be a fertile ground for prospects.
After almost selecting Cavaliers star Evan Mobley out of USC last year, Ujiri might need to head back to the West Coast to locate his next perfect target at No. 33 overall. In need of shooting and interior defense, this conference offers both of those traits in spades.
Once Toronto sorts out their myriad issues in free agency and comes up with a plan of attack to be implemented post-draft, Ujiri can dig into the tape and start identifying his next quality role player. Very few executives in the league can claim to be Ujiri’s equal in that regard.
The Raptors will look to take one of the better rim protectors and spot-up shooters in the Pac-12. If Ujiri’s usual blend of evaluation and projection once again helps the Raptors reload with cheap young talent, Toronto could sustain their surprising run of form from 2021-22.
4 Pac-12 prospects the Toronto Raptors could draft.
4. Jabari Walker, PF, Colorado
The son of former NBA lottery pick Samaki Walker, the Buffaloes’ star was a double-double machine during his second season in Boulder. Even at 6-9 and 215 pounds, Walker has been a force in the paint that shouldn’t take long to get acclimated to the pace of the professional game.
Walker averaged 14.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while nailing just under 40% of his 3-point attempts in college. Walker might be pigeon-holed as a power forward early in his career, but he’s a proven collegiate scorer with a sweet spot that could kick the bench in the rear.
Jabari Walker could boost the Toronto Raptors on offense.
Walker’s lack of passing and issues on defense could be problematic. Undersized for a small-ball center role and not quick enough to be a positive force on the defensive end at this juncture, Walker will need some time in the G League and the weight room before he’s ready.
Walker might not be the best scheme fit right now, but Toronto will need to gamble on players that can score as he can. Considering how Gary Trent Jr. developed from a negative defensive player to a turnover machine, Nick Nurse should be able to get Walker on the straight and narrow.
3. Harrison Ingram, SF, Stanford
If we know anything about Ujiri’s team-building strategy, it’s the fact that he loves to add versatile forwards into the mix. Ingram is a top recruit who projects as a better NBA player than a collegiate one given the unique physical traits that could appeal to development-rich teams.
Ingram averaged 10.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. With some point-forward experience in college and some extremely physical reps down in the paint with the Cardinal, Ingram fits the mold of the types of prospects Ujiri loves. Think of him as a store-brand version of Scottie Barnes.
Harrison Ingram is raw, but could eventually help the Toronto Raptors.
Ingram didn’t dominate last year. He shot just 39% from the field and 31% from 3-point range while averaging 2.3 turnovers per game. He is incredibly green on the offensive side of the ball, which could turn Ujiri away if he wants to select someone that can contribute immediately next year.
Ingram is a bet on potential that will require as much developmental attention as Dalano Banton and Justin Champagnie got this year. Ingram’s ceiling is high, and the success of Barnes provides a roadmap to success, but he could be very risky considering that Toronto only has one draft pick.
2. Johnny Juzang, SF, UCLA
Juzang returned to the Bruins after his miracle run to the Final Four last year. While Juzang did not get the boost his stock needed to make him a no-doubt first-round prospect after declaring, he should be drafted somewhere in the second round based on his ability to hit some challenging shots.
Juzang amassed 15.6 points per game on 43/36/83 shooting splits. For all of his flaws, Juzang is a bucket who profiles as a solid shooter at the next level. With some G League time mixed in to make up for his shortcomings, Juzang should be one of the first guys off the bench by his second season.
Johnny Juzang would be a quality bench scorer for the Toronto Raptors.
Juzang lacks insane athleticism, as his poor first step and strength inside for his size might make it challenging for some teams to see him as anything either than a spot-up shooter. With a lack of great results on the defensive end, the junior Juzang might not have the highest pro ceiling.
The concerns about his ability to create shots in the pros are valid. Still, Juzang has shown enough proficiency against collegiate-level athletes to give teams like Toronto confidence in using a draft pick on him. The shot will translate to the NBA, at the very least.
1. Christian Koloko, C, Arizona
Given the absence of center talent outside of the big names that are expected to go in the lottery, Koloko might earn himself a first-round draft selection after leaving early. If Toronto is risky enough to trade back into the first round, they could add a second Cameroonian star with starter potential in this league.
Koloko’s 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game are impressive enough, but the 7-1 center’s 2.8 blocks per game confirmed that he was one of the best defensive players in college basketball. Even the most rudimentary examination of Raptors’ tape shows the lack of tremendous interior defense that Koloko could help rectify.
Christian Koloko would be ideal for the Toronto Raptors.
Koloko’s offense is going to be a work in progress. While he has some post moves committed to memory, he’s likely only going to be a dunking threat during his first NBA minutes. Toronto should still be committed to getting someone that can be a defensive star and working out the details later.
Koloko is what an upgraded version of Khem Birch looks like. We love Precious Achiuwa here, but he has his deficiencies when facing the 7-0 big guys of the world. If Koloko gets up to speed on offense, he could singlehandedly fix Toronto’s biggest issue.