The NBA Draft Lottery was officially consummated last night, as the Orlando Magic were given the top selection in the 2022 NBA Draft. Now that the dust has settled, the NBA Mock Draft prognosticators have started to figure out which players would make sense for the Toronto Raptors.
In possession of the No. 33 overall pick, the Raptors know that they need to be better with regard to their collection of backcourt bench depth. Leaning on Svi Mykhailiuk is just not a sustainable way to make sure that this young core can contend for championships in the future.
Toronto will likely try to address their lack of incredible guard depth in free agency and the trade market, but the draft could be a very fertile ground for improvement. If the Raptors get lucky, one of the best scorers in the ACC could fall into their laps.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony had the Raptors using their lone draft pick on North Carolina State shooting guard Terquavion Smith. While he is a raw prospect who will likely need G League time, very few second-round prospects can claim to have the same offensive potential as Smith.
Updated post-draft lottery mock draft up on ESPN, with a look at who Orlando, OKC, Houston and Sacramento might look at atop the NBA Draft. https://t.co/r8NoYywvPO
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 18, 2022
NBA Mock Draft: The Toronto Raptors took Terquavion Smith.
Even though some may consider teammate Dereon Seabron a better prospect, Smith is a quality shooter who nailed 37% of his attempts on just over eight 3-balls per game. His shooting prowess will likely attract Toronto to him in the predraft process.
Smith is a nasty scorer, using a wide array of moves and finishing angles to pull off some difficult shots. Smith’s mid-range game could be developed into something really lethal, as he already has the aggressive offensive demeanor one needs to be a star in that area.
With 1.4 steals per game and a solid motor on the defensive end, Smith should be able to hold his own despite his frame. If Gary Trent Jr. can become an elite defender, Smith could follow him down that path.
N.C. State freshman Terquavion Smith is having an outstanding season, currently ranked second in the ACC in scoring, first in 3-pointers made and fifth in steals. Long, bouncy, 6'4 guard with elite shot-making ability. Improved strength, decision-making, defense are next steps. pic.twitter.com/67XJ8rAG3F
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 9, 2022
Smith has some horrid shot selection at times, which contributed to poor efficiency in the form of a 40% field goal percentage and 36% hit rate at the rim. Smith might be labeled as too skinny to play on the wing full-time by some teams, and he is also lacking the handle needed for full-time point guard work.
Smith is a hooper that should have no trouble establishing himself as a quality bench scorer at the next level. If Toronto can get their developmental hands on him and add some weight, he could become a Sixth Man in no time at all.