NBA mock draft: Raptors taking OG Anunoby clone in first round

The Toronto Raptors mock draft predictors are still out in full force despite their recent upturn in fortunes following the Jakob Poeltl trade. No matter how many games this team wins, there are some serious holes that need to be plugged up as soon as possible. Even the most casual fans could see that this team is far from a finished product.

While fans would love to see the team add a new backup point guard or yet another 3-point shooter, the idea of trading OG Anunoby could prompt a need for a young player that could eventually become a long-term starter in the same unique role that the Indiana product has occupied.

Luckily, this draft has plenty of players who could fill that spot. Toronto could go to a blue blood program in a down year and nab one of the top recruits in the 2022 class if they end up picking on the fringes of the lottery instead of the first 10 selections.

Yahoo Sports believes that the Raptors will use their fringe lottery pick on Villanova wing Cam Whitmore. While he may not be the most electric isolation scorer, the ceaseless deluge of Anunoby rumors could force Ujiri to look to the draft in order to find a replacement.

Toronto Raptors mock draft: Cam Whitmore is a solid wing.

Whitmore has averaged 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while making 47% of his shots and 35% of his free throws. With boundless athletic ability and a ferocious ability to slam down some rim-rattling dunks, Whitmore’s offensive potential is clear and evident.

Whitmore may not be as elite a defender at his beak as Anunoby, but even the most basic examination of his tape shows that he can be a player who comes right in and defends multiple positions well. At 230 pounds, Whitmore is ideal for a small-ball, switch-heavy scheme like Toronto.

Not only is Whitmore a spotty (at times) shooter, but his scoring production has not been what many envisioned, considering his premier position on the team. However, the general ineptitude of head coach Kyle Neptune and a disappointing Wildcats squad may be to blame for those numbers.

Whitmore may not be the dynamic guard that many Raptors fans are hoping for, but the Raptors will need to move very quickly if they want to replace Anunoby and keep this team competitive. Whitmore won’t start right away, but he will be instantly productive.