Raptors draft: 3 7-foot centers Toronto could select at No. 33

The Toronto Raptors may have entered the 2021-22 season with no player taller than 6-9 on the roster, but the possibility of Masai Ujiri going into next year without a taller backup remains unlikely. The lack of size came back to bite them in the butt as injuries started to pile up.

While the 2022 NBA Draft class is widely regarded as a top-heavy class that falls off after the consensus top three players, the talent available at the end of the first round and the beginning of the second round is surprisingly excellent. The center position has several impact players who could come off the board around No. 33 overall.

Toronto needs someone with the necessary mobility to stick in their high-octane defense. By acquiring a pick from San Antonio in the Thad Young trade, Toronto gave themselves a perfect chance to add some cheap talent down in the paint.

All three of these draft prospects are 7-0 or taller, giving them a leg up in their quest to end up as a rotation player in Toronto. Any one of them could be one of those classic Raptors draft picks who become valuable contributors after a year or so of seasoning.

3 7-foot NBA Draft prospects the Toronto Raptors could select.

3. Orlando Robinson, Fresno State

Scout the player, not the jersey. If you’re worried about taking another Mountain West standout after Player of the Year Malachi Flynn failed to take the next step, put those concerns in the trash. Robinson is a totally different player with a more transferrable frame and set of skills.

Robinson averaged 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, using his muscle and post moves to decimate the rest of the conference. From purely an offensive point of view, going with the younger player who can spot up from 3-point range in Robinson over Khem Birch makes all the sense in the world.

Orlando Robinson may appeal to the Toronto Raptors.

Robinson’s lack of mobility and fluidity means that he is not going to be a Precious Achiuwa-esque rim-runner at the next level. Robinson is as old-school as they come at the center position, but that doesn’t mean that Toronto should completely take him off their board.

Robinson is already a fantastic scorer and rebounder, but he needs to go to a coaching staff who is willing to put the time in while fixing his issues. Toronto could be that place, as Robinson developing quicker than expected could force them to find a way to ditch Birch’s contract.