Raptors Mock Draft: Experts all over the map on which player Toronto should pick
Mock Draft Roundup: Which bigs are the Raptors selecting?
The Toronto Raptors are unlikely to keep Chris Boucher around in a meaningful way, and Precious Achiuwa is playing heavy minutes in the playoffs for the New York Knicks. Whether or not they move on from Jakob Poeltl this summer, the Raptors will be in the market for a backup center in the draft, whether that's with the 19th pick or the 31st.
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has Toronto finding that player with the 19th pick, drafting Baylor center Yves Missi. The 6'11" center has a massive 7'5" wingspan and already has an NBA body. Missi is a terrific athlete who is already a defensive difference-maker, and on offense projects as a lob catcher and a weapon in transition. The opinions on Missi are all over the map, but if the Raptors want rim protection and are ok with less offensive skill, Missi makes a lot of sense.
NBA Draft analyst Krysten Peek went in a different direction with her mock draft on Yahoo.com, selecting Tyler Smith for the Raptors at pick No. 19. Smith is a 6'11" stretch big who could serve as Kelly Olynyk's understudy and blossom into a long-term weapon in the frontcourt for the Raptors. His shot looks smooth and projectable, and having bigs that can shoot is a real weapon in the modern NBA.
Peek also had a welcome surprise for the Raptors in the Second Round. A few months back it was popular to pair Purdue center Zach Edey with the Raptors with the 31st pick in the draft, but Edey's stock has appeared to rise following his dominant run through the NCAA Tournament. There are very real question marks about how his defense translates to the NBA but he has an insane amount of size and skill for a player taken this late.
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report had a surprise falling into Toronto's lap at 19, with Kyle Filipowski of the Duke Blue Devils being the pick in his mock draft. The Raptors would be adding a skilled seven-footer who can play power forward or center, competes on defense and can score from all angles. He looks like an ideal fit with Scottie Barnes, even more so if his shot gains consistency over the years.
For what it's worth, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN laid their board out in a similar way, picking Filipowski for the Raptors at No. 19. Woo in particular highlight's Filipowski's wide range heading into the draft because of his need to play alongside a rim protector early in his career.