Raptors mock draft: Who do the experts think Toronto will take?

The Toronto Raptors are teetering on the edge of falling out of the NBA playoff race, as they have been cursed with some truly comical misfortune due to untimely injuries and bad late-game luck. With trade rumors surrounding OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet, a move could be in order soon. Raptors mock draft time is upon us.

While Masai Ujii has rarely been able to burn a top 10 draft choice, his recent performances in that area should inspire confidence. Scottie Barnes has proven to be a long-term cornerstone, while Jakob Poeltl became a high-end rim protector in San Antonio after his stint as Kawhi Leonard trade fodder.

While he made some dubious moves in the last few months, including the Otto Porter Jr. signing and the Thad Young trade that cost them a shot at Walker Kessler, Toronto ould erase all of that bad mojo if they end up with a premium draft pick to be used on a high-end scorer.

Ujiri will get a perfect chance to draft yet another talented piece that can serve as the face of the next era of Raptors basketball. The mock draft prognosticators are already hard at work trying to figure out which player Toronto is going to focus in on during this tumultuous time.

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Toronto Raptors mock draft: Masai Ujiri targeting scoring

The folks over at Tankathon had the Raptors adding Baylor guard Keyonte George. While the 6-4 dynamo is a great athlete who will be a decade-long player in this league, Ujiri might have some slight concerns about his struggles with efficiency. He has picked things up as the season has gone on.

Yahoo Sports linked Toronto to Arkansas guard Nick Smith, who has only played in parts of five games this season due to injuries. The durability is a concern, but very few players in this class have his blend of shooting, speed, athletic ability, and feel for what is going on around him. He’d instantly start in Toronto.

Bleacher Report thought Toronto should select Alabama wing Brandon Miller, who may be the best prospect in this draft class not named Wembanyama or Henderson. An elite shooter with Barnes-like athleticism at 6-9, it shouldn’t take long before Miller averages 20 points per game.

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The Raptors know that they can’t afford to bungle this pick if they end up making a big trade. Doing so could condemn them to another year in the lottery and a very long rebuild.