The Toronto Raptors will have two picks in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, which is set to take place on June 25.
They are slatted to pick No. 9 and No. 39 via the Portland Trail Blazers.
In Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft, Jonathan Wasserman has the Raptors going with two guards in Kon Knueppel of Duke and Jamir Watkins and Florida State.
Knueppel averaged 14.4 points and shot 43.3 percent on catch-and-shoot threes at Duke as a freshman. He had 107 assists to 53 turnovers, as he’s capable running the pick-and-rolls.
Wasserman compares him to Cameron Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets. Knueppel’s appeal is his shotmaking and shooting efficiency.
Wasserman talked about his potential fit on the Raptors:
“Only the Washington Wizards averaged fewer threes per game than the Raptors, making Knueppel an obvious candidate at No. 9. But he should also be in the best-player-available conversation at this point of the lottery.”
Knueppel would be an easy fit as he provides necessary floor spacing in lineups with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.
With the No. 39 pick, Wasserman pencils Watkins to the Raptors. He compares him to Wendell Moore Jr. of the Charlotte Hornets.
Watkins is able to play multiple positions which makes him a versatile option in the second round:
“It become easier to picture a disruptive, NBA defender after watching Jamir Watkins strip ball-handling and blow up plays from off the ball during scrimmages. There should be a big second-round market for a 215-pound wing that guards multiple positions, finishes through contact and can provide secondary playmaking.”
The Raptors have a clear need at the center position, but they could also prioritize guard play here. Knueppel has polished offensive skills that will see him have a nice long NBA career, meanwhile Watkins has the defensive versatility the Raptors like.
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