The Toronto Raptors are done playing competitive basketball in the 2023-24 season, as injuries ended what was supposed to be a late-season push for the Play-In Tournament. Instead, Toronto now turns its attention to the 2024 NBA Draft. Which picks they have exactly remain to be seen, but there are already intriguing players being linked, like Virginia forward Ryan Dunn.
The Raptors own the Indiana Pacers’ first-round draft pick — courtesy of the Pascal Siakam trade — as long as it falls outside of the top three, which is almost certainly will. They also could have their own first-round pick so long as it falls within the top six. Otherwise, it goes to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the Jakob Poeltl deal.
The Pacers, right now, would have the 17th pick in the draft, and that is where Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer has the Raptors selecting Dunn, the defensive minded forward.
“The irony of the Raptors’ trade of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby this season is that Masai Ujiri’s squad now actually needs more 6-foot-8-ish dudes. Dunn is college basketball’s best defender, though shooting is by far his biggest weakness. If he develops a more reliable jumper, as Siakam and Anunoby did in Toronto, then this could be the best landing spot for him.”
O’Connor compared Dunn to New Orleans Pelicans standout Herb Jones and former Oklahoma City Thunder lockdown defender Andre Roberson. Dunn would be an immediate help for the Raptors, who have certainly lost some defensive talent with their trades this season.
Replacing OG Anunoby and Siakam with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley — alongside Bruce Brown — is not going to lift their defensive ceiling. So adding a player like Dunn would be a massive step toward returning to the style of basketball that Masai Ujiri has liked to employ.
Of course, finding an instant game changer with the No. 17 pick is never easy. Dunn has the obvious flaws on the offensive end. The ACC All-Defensive forward has shot a measly 20.6% from beyond the arc this season at Virginia. But he can guard all five positions and is essentially the prototype of a modern NBA defensive wing.
Gary Trent Jr. taking on mentor role with Raptors
Gary Trent Jr. appears to be embracing a mentor role with the Toronto Raptors.
Trent Jr. has been helping Gradey Dick adjust to life in the NBA.
According to TSN’s Josh Lewenberg, Trent Jr. says he took Dick under his wing in camp and has been showing the rookie the ropes ever since.
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