Raptors draft: 3 Fred VanVleet replacements Toronto could draft in 2023

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The Toronto Raptors are outside of the NBA postseason picture right now, as they have not lived up to expectations following a very strong 2021-22 season. The trade rumors are starting to fly, and Fred VanVleet is right at the center of these discussions following his regression.

If the Raptors end up moving on from VanVleet at the trade deadline or after the season, all signs point to them using their first-round pick on a long-term successor who can come right in and make an impact. Luckily, this draft is full of great backcourt options.

While the Raptors would obviously love to land Victor Wembanyama if they continue losing, they may still have a hole at point guard that will need to be filled if the inefficient VanVleet is not going to be around. Toronto would immediately have a much younger, more sustainable core.

Any one of these three players coming to the Raptors with their first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft would be a fantastic windfall and a silver lining to a season in which very few has gone right for the team. Masai Ujiri could add another tremendous pick to his ledger.

Toronto Raptors: 3 Fred VanVleet replacements in 2023 NBA Draft.

3. Anthony Black, Arkansas

If the Raptors are not going to budge on their desire to get as much length and strength as possible, they should try to add a ball-handler that fits in with what the Raptors want to accomplish from a schematic point of view. ESPN seems to think the Raptors may take a keen interest in Black.

Black is averaging 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game this season, showing the blend of positional versatility and defensive skills that Toronto typically salivates over. Even in a stacked recruiting class on a title favorite, Black is making some noise.

Anthony Black would fit the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors would be drafting another offensively raw player who isn’t going to be an elite scorer right off the cuff if they use Black, so Ujiri must be very wise with regard to how he spends one of the best draft picks he has ever had in his career. Do they want to develop another raw scorer?

If the Raptors don’t budge on their switchable vision, they could easily end up taking the best available player that fits their wingspan and athletic requirements. Black is different from most similarly-sized players in that he can be expected to hold a rotation role right away in the pros.