Raptors draft: 3 prospects that could replace Gary Trent Jr.

With upcoming free agents Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. sure to be dominating the summer storylines for the Toronto Raptors, the wise front office creates contingency plans.

Toronto’s record will likely put them in either the lottery or the fringes of the postseason. Despite the disappointing results in the win/loss column, they will be sure to land a top-shelf rookie to pair with young star Scottie Barnes.

This upcoming 2023 Draft will be headlined by the consensus top two prospects, Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson, but that doesn’t mean elite-level talent isn’t available within the rest of the lottery.

This draft class is heavy on combo guards and forwards, the former being something the Raptors are really searching for. Not only as a backup plan in the event of a free-agent departure, but just to provide further backup depth in general. It may be time to look beyond Malachi Flynn.

Let’s dive into some of the lottery’s best guards and who could potentially be the latest boon to Masai Ujiri’s drafting resume.

Toronto Raptors draft: 3 potential Gary Trent Jr. replacements.

3. Anthony Black, Arkansas

On a Razorbacks team loaded with NBA talent, Black is a 6-7 guard/wing with a very smooth creating style. His jump shot is a little inconsistent but isn’t terrible. Most of what makes him great are between the ears.

Paired with a dynamic backcourt, Black elects to be more of a playmaker than a pure scorer. He has great vision and is a pass-first teammate. He uses his height to see over defending guards, and has strength to bully smaller opponents on the drive.

Black’s body is rare for an elite guard prospect. Listed at 200 pounds of muscle at the start of the season, you can tell just by looking at the game footage how strong his lower body is. He doesn’t have game-changing explosiveness, but he’s a very balanced athlete. He may not pull out a skywalking dunk, but he’ll finish with authority.

Anthony Black would fit the Toronto Raptors.

On-ball, Black doesn’t let the defense speed him up. He keeps his head up on the drive is has developed great chemistry with his Arkansas teammates. His 4.4 assists per game aren’t a result of him dominating the ball, but by making the most of his playmaking opportunities.

Within the Arkansas offense, Black operates at roughly a 20% usage rate but with a 21.8 assist percentage to go with it. An NBA player with similar rates? Scottie Barnes. Both want to find the extra pass, and those assists are a result of good passes rather than good shots.

One unsung skill Black has is his defensive prowess. He has the lateral quickness to defend the guard position, but the size and strength to switch onto wings and even some forwards.

Black’s been averaging two steals a game this season, and it speaks to the way he thinks about the game. His steals and assists are both a result of his basketball feel, peripheral vision, and anticipatory skills. These are all things that would make him thrive in a Raptors backcourt.

Player comp:  Thick Lonzo Ball