2024 NBA Mock Draft: B/R has Raptors using 4 picks on high-end athletes, defenders
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors are now in a position to dominate the 2024 NBA Draft. In addition to picking up the best possible second-round pick at No. 31 overall, Toronto managed to land two unprotected first-round picks from the upstart Indiana Pacers in exchange for Pascal Siakam.
The Raptors may owe their top draft choice in 2024 to the San Antonio Spurs in the Jakob Poeltl deal, but there's a chance that Toronto ends up picking inside of the top six selections and recouping the picks. This would give Toronto a tremendous launching pad they can use to kick-start the next era of Raptors basketball.
The needs, to be blunt, are plentiful. More shooting and scoring creation is needed alongside rim protection in the paint, a stretch forward, and more guard depth behind Immanuel Quickley. If everything goes as planned, the Raptors could stumble upon a gold mind of assets in the 2024 Draft.
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has the Raptors doing just that in his most recent two-round mock draft, as they are making four selections with the aim of getting much deadlier on offense and more well-rounded in the backcourt. This would be a home-run haul for Masai Ujiri if it comes to fruition.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: B/R has Toronto Raptors drafting three guards.
No. 6: Rob Dillingham, PG, Kentucky
John Calipari's Wildcats are exceedingly crowded with NBA talent this year, even when compared to his other teams. This team is so stacked that top recruits like Justin Edwards and Aaron Bradshaw haven't been given a ton of shots. Dillingham, however, has been one of the brightest spots for Kentucky this season.
No one will expect the skinny Dillingham to be a good defensive player, as his 6-2 body and 170-pound frame will make him an easy target for veterans early in his pro career. This is a pick based entirely on his offensive potential. Luckily, Dillingham brings that in bunches.
Rob Dillingham could be a future star for the Toronto Raptors.
It's not unreasonable to say that fellow Kentucky guard Quickley is a reasonable comparison for Dillingham in the pros. Incredibly athletic with a promising jumper, tremendous speed, and creativity that pops, the Raptors can trust him to be a Sixth Man as a rookie who eventually starts at point guard.
With Dennis Schroder likely not a long-term piece, Raptors fans can dream about a starting lineup featuring Quickley and Dillingham together with Barnes and Barrett in the frontcourt. If Dillingham is not available, Reed Sheppard, his elite shooting teammate, could be another reasonable guard target.