Similar to most NBA teams, the Toronto Raptors are scheduling draft prospects for workouts to evaluate which players could potentially fit with their team.
One player workout in particular made waves among the fanbase: Mikel Brown Jr.
The reason scheduling Brown Jr. for a predraft workout is so fascinating is that he is widely expected to be drafted in the top 5-10 picks. That is far ahead of the Raptors’ 19th selection. It is leaving some fans to speculate that Toronto could be thinking about trading up for the electric combo guard out of Louisville.
Would Mikel Brown Jr. fit in Toronto?
Mikel Brown Jr. is considered one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in the draft. He is an electric scorer and athlete, but he also comes with injury and shot-selection concerns.
The Raptors have built a defensive identity. Their fifth-ranked defense is what helped lead them to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and helped push the Cavaliers to seven games. However, their offense held them back. Specifically, their lack of three-point shooting.
Brown Jr. would not be a perfect Raptors prospect, but he would address one of their obvious weaknesses. Brown Jr. has enough size and tools to become a positive defender in the NBA. He needs to add strength before he is truly ready to compete on that end, but at 20 years old, he has plenty of time to do that.
His shooting is what makes him truly tantalizing. He would immediately help Toronto’s three-point shooting concerns, and if he can develop healthier shot selection, Brown Jr. could become one of the more dangerous offensive guards in the league.
How much would Toronto need to give up to trade up for Brown Jr.?
This is a complicated question, and it mostly depends on how the other teams drafting in the top ten evaluate Brown Jr. If his history of back injuries, which have reportedly been ongoing for the past couple years, scares teams away, then Toronto could have a real opportunity to trade up into the 8-10 range to draft him.
If the Clippers, Nets or Kings are willing to take a risk on Brown Jr., then trading up into the 5-7 range would be much more expensive. That does not necessarily mean it would not be worth it, but the Raptors organization would have to feel very confident about Brown Jr. to make a move like that.
Ultimately, it is good that Toronto is doing its due diligence to study potential trade-up candidates. Time will tell if the Raptors see star potential in one of these prospects and decide to make an aggressive move.
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