The Raptors' mistake in the NBA Draft is turning into a full-blown disaster

The Toronto Raptors do not have an impeccable draft record.

They have certainly nailed some picks over the year, including finding Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby late in the first round, or making the correct call to draft Scottie Barnes over Jalen Suggs in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Raptors, and this front office led by Masai Ujiri in particular, have hit on a lot of picks.

That doesn't mean it's a perfect one, however. In 2020 they took Malachi Flynn one pick before Desmond Bane; back in 2014 they took a misplaced swing at Bruno Caboclo. Last year it made a lot of sense for them to take Gradey Dick with the No. 13 pick, but he has a lot of work to do to keep up with players drafted later such as Brandin Podziemski, Cam Whitmore and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The Raptors were busy in the 2024 NBA Draft

This year that draft record is relevant because the Raptors made a whopping four picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, and all four are on the roster heading into the season. Ulrich Chomche was a flier with the penultimate pick of the draft and will spend the season with the 905 in the G League.

The other three picks may be called into rotation roles right away, however. Ja'Kobe Walter out of Baylor was the pick at No. 19, a player whose shot and defensive potential made him an excellent selection in the first round. Similarly, the Raptors used the No. 45 pick on Houston point guard Jamal Shead, an elite defender who can compete for the backup point guard role and helps them address their weakness at the point of attack.

It's the Raptors' selection with the No. 31 pick that looked instantly questionable the moment they made it, and after just a few weeks appears to be bordering on the edge of disaster.