The 2024-25 season is officially over.
The Toronto Raptors will now have their sights set on the 2025 NBA Draft which is set for June 25 and 26.
Toronto will have the No. 9 pick in the first-round as they continue to navigate through different options.
A backup center is an area of need for the Raptors and they could look to address that void at the draft. There have been many big men linked to the Raptors in the last couple of weeks.
Duke’s Khaman Maluach has been mainly connected to the Raptors but it is unclear if he will still be on the board by the time it’s the Raptors turn to make their selection.
Another name is Maryland’s Derik Queen. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report put out his latest mock draft and he has the Raptors taking Queen at No. 9:
“There won’t be many opportunities for a young forward to develop in Toronto after the Raptors acquired Brandon Ingram. That could sway the Raptors to think big and consider Derik Queen, who’d give them another option who can create for himself in the half court.
“While Queen struggled during athletic testing at the combine, those who bought in did so while accepting his lack of explosion or speed. His skill level and feel should appear good enough for teams to see a surefire offensive weapon, even if his defensive upside remains limited.”
Wasserman compares Queen to Houston Rockets’ big man Alperen Sengun. Queen has strong post play, impressive handles and he can score in a variety of ways. He’s also a solid rebounder and and a very underrated playmaker. He has a strong face-up game and can create opportunities for himself and his teammates. He recently declared for the 2025 NBA draft. His defense is a bit of a question mark, mainly his rim protection. However, he would be an enticing pick for the Raptors here at No. 9.
Raptors don’t land Kevin Durant, traded to Rockets
The Toronto Raptors won’t be getting Kevin Durant this summer.
The Phoenix Suns have agreed to trade Durant to the Houston Rockets in a deal that sends Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks to Phoenix, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
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