Raptors Final Big Board: Ranking Top 31 prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft
No. 4: Donovan Clingan, Big, UConn
The draft's best interior defender, Donovan Clingan was dominant for the national champion UConn Huskies and looks to be a highly-coveted prospect in this year's draft, with multiple teams considering trades up to select him. He is something of a Brook Lopez disciple on defense, a massive mountain in the middle who is best deployed in a drop coverage. The offense needs work, but he rebounds well and should eat on a few putbacks each game. For the Raptors he could be the long-term replacement for Jakob Poeltl.
No. 5: Zaccharie Risacher, Forward, France
Zaccharie Risacher has risen up draft boards less for what he can do and more for what he can't; that is, essentially nothing. He is capable of handling the ball, creating a shot, shooting, finishing, rebounding and defending. He is not elite in any one of those areas, but he has continued to grow as a player the past few years and could step onto nearly any roster and be a useful player. If his shot becomes an elite weapon his value will only skyrocket.
No. 6: Stephon Castle, Guard, UConn
If you want a large guard or wing who can plug in and play tough isolation defense, with quick hands for steals and excellent anticipation of opponent moves, Stephon Castle is your man. The freshman at UConn plays hard and works on his game, but the biggest question mark is his shooting. All signs other than his work ethic point to a broken jumper but he has faith in himself; perhaps he is the right kind of prospect to bet on developing a jumpshot.
No. 7: Nikola Topic, Guard, Serbia
The top pure point guard in the 2024 Draft, Nikola Topic has a tight handle and is both fast enough and shifty enough to get to the rim with ease and pass to the open teammates. As with most players the swing skill is his jumpshot, but he has a strong floor of running the offense. Topic will miss an extended period of time after partially tearing his ACL but a team that can be patient could get a steal.