Raptors Big Board: Top 10 prospects for Raps no matter where their pick lands

No. 7: Reed Sheppard, Guard, Kentucky

Purely in terms of fit with Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes, Reed Sheppard looks like the top player in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Kentucky guard looks like the perfect complement to another former Kentucky guard in Quickley given his shooting and defense.

The problem is that the Raptors never draft players like Sheppard, a 6'3" guard who doesn't cut an imposing figure on the court. From a size standpoint, pairing Sheppard and Quickley would be committing the Raptors to a small backcourt.

Size didn't matter at all for Sheppard's defensive impact in college, however, as he blew initial evaluations out of the water and was Kentucky's best player this season. He has amazing defensive instincts, always knowing where to be and making steals he had no business getting to. It's hard to watch his tape and conclude anything other than Sheppard will be a great defender.

On offense he is an elite shooter, able to stroke it from well outside the 3-point line and a quick, repeatable motion that suggests he can consistently shoot above 40 percent in the NBA. He can shoot off the dribble, off the catch or off of movement, making him incredibly versatile. Add in excellent passing, good finishing and decent ballhandling and he is a dynamic offensive player.

The size is the only real issue with Sheppard, and it's why the Raptors ultimately won't draft him. They probably should, however, as he looks like the kind of player who NBA teams will always want in the rotation.