With the Toronto Raptors 2024-25 season in the rear view, their focus now shifts to the upcoming draft.
The Raptors are locked into the 7th best lottery odds. They have a 31.9 percent chance of getting into the top-4 and a 7.5 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick, via Tankathon.
Raptors president Masai Ujiri addressed the media today in the end-of-season press conference. He was asked about the team not doing more to maximize their draft lottery odds.
“Yeah, it’s tough… I think sometimes it’s a bit overrated with the teams’ approaches to this… I was really happy with the way these guys played…we’ll try to attack the odds in the lottery and see where we fall,” Ujiri said via TSN’s Josh Lewenberg.
Ujiri also said the Raptors are confident going into this year’s draft, regardless of where the pick falls, per Lewenberg. Ujiri was also asked about the needs on the roster and he said the Raptors could use another young big and they will address that in the draft or somewhere else, via Lewenberg.
The draft would be a great opportunity for the Raptors to pick up a backup big. The Raptors are projected to pick at No. 7 and that’s where they can likely choose between Duke’s Khaman Maluach or Maryland’s Derik Queen.
Maluach offers more upside with his defense, meanwhile Queen is more offensive oriented. The choice could come down to what the Raptors value more.
The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery will be on May 12 in Chicago.
Darko Rajakovic praises Brandon Ingram
Darko Rajakovic spoke to the media at the Toronto Raptors end-of-season press conference.
The second-year coach had some high praise for the Raptors newly acquired forward Brandon Ingram.
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