1 Raptors NBA Draft target who could be the next Fred VanVleet

The Toronto Raptors can move fully into draft mode, as they need to identify players that can support stars like Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. If they want to go the point guard route, they could have some interest in San Francisco ball-handler Jamaree Bouyea in the second round.

Bouyea went from an inefficient lead guard who barely started to a quality defender and scorer that helped the Dons secure a No. 10 seed in the NCAA tournament. His draft stock has shot through the roof as a result. Could the Raptors be interested in him?

With the Malachi Flynn pick looking worse every week after his inability to develop and No. 30 pick Desmond Bane becoming one of the Grizzlies’ best players, Toronto could look to rip the Band-Aid off and find a younger replacement for Flynn with higher offensive upside than Dalano Banton.

Bouyea is coming from a mid-major conference like Flynn (and one with less NBA pedigree), but he profiles as a player that should be able to hit the ground running as a scorer. With some extra fine-tuning, don’t be surprised if he takes a VanVleet-esque step forward as a player.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1504677997369970690

Jamaree Bouyea has similarities with Toronto Raptors star Fred VanVleet.

Bouyea, a fifth-year senior, averaged 17.3 points per game on 47/37/75 splits for the Dons this year. With 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists this year, he can contribute in other areas when his shot is not falling. Though generously listed at 6-2, Bouyea is effective on both ends despite his height.

On offense, he can pull up and make unassisted 3-point attempts. While VanVleet has typically struggled with finishing near the rim, this is a strength of Bouyea’s game. Scoring without NBA-caliber teammates proves his quality on that side of the floor.

While he likely doesn’t profile as a tremendous on-ball defender due to his skinny frame, he can be an impact turnover generator in the same mold as VanVleet. With 1.8 steals per game and a solid motor, Bouyea is adept at forcing steals and bothering opposing point guards. That could be valuable in the second round.

That frame will be problematic, as is his propensity for turning the ball over. The fact that he was invited to the G League Elite Camp rather than the NBA Draft Combine likely speaks to the fact that the league views him as an undrafted player rather than one of the top 60.

Bouyea has some risk attached to him as a more diminutive guard that lacks elite explosion, but he’s still performed well enough over his college career to be given a puncher’s chance in the pros. While he won’t be as good as VanVleet, he could easily rise from anonymity to an NBA rotation in the right circumstance.