The Toronto Raptors have their sights set on the 2024 NBA Draft.
Toronto just went through a roller coaster of a season that featured a ton of movement on the trading front and an organizational direction change.
Now focusing on the offseason with a new core of Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett the key to making this a quick rebuild is hitting on draft picks. While this draft class does not necessarily feature star studded talent, it may work out to surround those three with complimentary pieces.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, he revealed in his latest mock draft that he has the Raptors taking UConn’s Donovan Clingan with the No. 6 pick in this upcoming draft.
Clingan is a 7’2″, 280 pound center that is bruiser on both sides of the ball. He averaged 13 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks on 63.9 percent shooting from the field in 35 games. While he is not a spacing big, he is similar to Jakob Poeltl and is a solid rim protecting center.
Next up is the No. 17 pick via the Indiana Pacers, who Wasserman projects Toronto taking Terrence Shannon Jr. out of Illinois.
He is a 6’6″, 225 pound forward who is seen as a reliable shotmaker. Shannon Jr. could be another scoring punch from off the bench, as he averaged 23 points with the Fighting Illini on 47.5 percent shooting from the field and 36.2 percent from deep.
Lastly with the No. 31 pick via the Detroit Pistons, Wasserman has the Raptors taking Jaylon Tyson from the California Golden Bears. Another forward, but a taller one at 6’7″ that is an on-ball creator, who can break down a defense.
In his junior season with Cal, he averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 46.5 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from distance.
Bleacher Report predicts Toronto taking Reed Sheppard at No. 6 in NBA Draft
In a previous mock draft, Wasserman switched from Clingan to Kentucky’s sharpshooter Reed Sheppard. The 19-year-old averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists on 53.6 percent shooting from the field and 52.1 percent from three-point range.
But he remained consistent on Shannon Jr and Tyson for the No. 17 and 31 picks.
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