The NBA Draft is officially under 12 hours away, and barring any trades out of the top thirty, the Toronto Raptors will be making their initial first-round selection since 2017. With the recent success that the Raptors have had drafting in the twenties (OG Anunoby at the 20th pick in 2017, Pascal Siakam at the 27th pick in 2016, Delon Wright at the 20th pick in 2015), it’s safe to say that whomever the Raptors take at #29 tomorrow could go on to be a star in the NBA.
Members of the Raptors Cage team have all made their picks regarding whom they think the Raptors should draft tomorrow night. Without further ado, let’s get into our predictions.
Jordan Moore
Pick: Xavier Tillman
Reasoning: The Raptors biggest need in the draft is a big. How about picking the man from Michigan, who won the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2019, and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the year in 2020. Tillman is small for a big man (listed at 6ft 8in) but make up for his size with defensive awareness and strength. He has been mocked in the 25-40 range of this draft, so there is a decently good chance that he will be available with pick 29.
Javid Lalva:
Pick: Xavier Tillman
Reasoning: Tillman is a winner and a defense-first type of player: a 6’8 centre with a 7 foot wing span. This helps the Raptors fill their depleted front court. He seems to be a modern day centre, can run the floor, needs work developing his offensive skills, but is great in the pick and roll.
Neeraj Varma
Pick: Zeke Nnaji
Reasoning: Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and Chris Boucher are all hitting free agency this autumn, leaving the Raptors with Dewan Hernandez as the only big man under contract for next season. With rumours flying that Ibaka may be interested in joining the Brooklyn Nets, and Gasol may be on his way out to play overseas, Nnaji would be a great long-term replacement at the centre position. His potential to be a solid interior defender, along with his ability to space the floor a little bit and make aggressive rim-runs would fit Nick Nurse’s play style well.
Jamal Mclarty
Pick: Xavier Tillman
Reasoning: Tillman may be an undersized centre, but he has great upside, winning pedigree and reminds me of Paul Milsap with his ability to hustle and not let his size affect his play. He can work tremendously with the Raptors second unit, potentially having Tillman and Boucher play together, as their strengths negate each other’s weaknesses.
Jaden Pelayo
Pick: Theo Maledon
Reasoning: It’s near impossible to gauge what position the Raptors will look to address tomorrow night, so I’ll just go out on a limb and say that they take a guard in Theo Maledon. He’s a young guard with size and upside on both sides of the ball. He can be stashed in Europe if the Raptors choose, and he has already worked out for the team.
CJ Goater
Pick: Nico Mannion
Reasoning: If Fred VanVleet decides to leave for more money and a greater role in free agency, Nico Mannion is a guy who could come in and contribute immediately for the Raptors. He has shown his ability to run a team as a true point guard at Arizona, and with several NBA ready skills, could look to do the same off the Raptors bench.
Drew Clutchey
Pick: Desmond Bane
Reasoning: At 6’6, and weighing 215 pounds, Bane has a strong NBA-ready frame. Having played four years at TCU, he is more experienced than other available players and could join the Raptors right away. He’s also a great shooter from deep and will be able to slot in to the offense without taking away from Toronto’s other players.
Even if you’re not a part of the Raptors Cage team, you can voice your opinion too. Place a few bucks on whom you think the Raptors will select tonight, and you could win big! T-minus ten hours until draft time. Hold tight.