While the NBA Draft is usually a source of optimism and intrigue for Toronto Raptors fans, the 2024 NBA mock draft predictors may not have to spend a ton of time looking at Masai Ujiri’s roster. Years of win-now trades have left the Raptors without tons of capital.
On top of the fact that the Jonas Valanciunas trade from years ago has already sent their 2024 second-round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto will be giving up their first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs if it does not land in the top six selections. There is a good chance Toronto has no draft picks in 2024.
While this upcoming class may not have the star power of Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson at the top of the class, there is a good chance this collection of future stars actually ends up as a deeper unit. Toronto will not get to benefit from this class, but San Antonio sure will.
In Sports Illustrated’s 2024 NBA Mock Draft, the Raptors earned the No. 10 pick in the draft and subsequently traded it to the Spurs. The selection was used to select another 7-1 big man in Alex Sarr, widely regarded as one of the top international prospects in this class.
Alex Sarr finished as the best per-minute scorer at the FIBA U17 World Cup, but also impressed with the mobility, fluidity and versatility he displayed on the defensive end. The OTE product is making real strides as of late. Full ESPN recap: https://t.co/5ZEa8gccg1 pic.twitter.com/Ohe1wElEcV
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 19, 2022
2024 NBA Mock Draft: Toronto Raptors trade Alex Sarr to Spurs.
Sarr could have been a perfect long-term backup behind Jakob Poeltl, but he will instead head to San Antonio. He could provide more traditional center play while allowing Victor Wembanyama to operate further away from the basket and create more mismatches.
Sarr needs to add some weight (just 215 pounds), but he has a lot to offer teams like Toronto and San Antonio. With a solid jumper for someone as young as he is, quality passing ability, and shot-blocking all make him someone that won’t wait long to hear his name called.
In a draft that doesn’t have many great true centers, Sarr, who signed with the NBL’s Perth Wildcats in Australia for the upcoming season, could fly up draft boards if he shows he can be a star against grown men in a professional league.
Unless the Raptors either make it to the postseason or bottom out in the pursuit of names like Matas Buzelis and Ron Hollard, they will likely lose their first-round pick to a young Spurs team. If Sarr becomes a star or Jakob Poeltl flounders, this trade could come back to hurt Toronto.