NBA Mock Draft: 3 popular Raptors targets declare for NBA Draft

The Toronto Raptors have received some better bench play of late, but that likely won’t change the fact that Masai Ujiri will likely head into the 2023 NBA Draft looking for a creator that can give this team a scoring punch. All Raptors mock draft plans should be adjusted accordingly.

There is a common misconception that 2023 is a two-player draft with no franchise cornerstones in the talent pool outside of Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson at the very top of the order. That couldn’t be farther from the truth, especially if you are looking for high-end guard play.

Toronto is one of many teams that could use their first-round pick on a backcourt player that comes right in and gives them a major kick in the rear end. A promising trio of scorers, all of whom could be available if the Raptors end up picking in the teens, recent;y threw their hats in the proverbial ring.

In the last 24 hours, Baylor’s Keyonte George, North Carolina State’s Terquavion Smith, and Duke’s Dariq Whitehead have all declared for the NBA Draft. Any one of them trading in their collegiate jerseys for some shiny new Raptors threads would be a major win for Toronto.

NBA Mock Draft: Raptors targets Keyonte George, Dariq Whitehead declare

While George’s inefficient shooting might worry some, he has proven himself to be a premium shot-creator with the potential to be a long-term starter at both guard spots. The Raptors will likely target him if they are unable to make it into the postseason and pick near the Top 10.

Whitehead may have gotten off to a very rough start in his freshman season due to injuries, but he proved himself to be one of the best 3-point shooters in the country since then. The former No. 2 recruit in the country, Whitehead promises to be one of the best perimeter defenders in this rookie class.

Smith, like George, is a high-volume, often inconsistent shooter that won’t be for everyone. Still, he’s been a solid two-year creator with a lack of tremendous support around him. He could be the sparkplug the team’s bench has been searching for during the last few years.

The Raptors may try to find someone who fits their “Vision 6-9” philosophy, but doing so would show that Ujiri and Nick Nurse learned nothing from this season. More backcourt scoring punch is needed, and any one of these three names would help in that regard.