The 2024 NBA Draft is slowly, but surely approaching for the Toronto Raptors.
After a season full of moves, Toronto landed on Scottie Barnes being the new face of the franchise.
Now heading into a full offseason with a new core, the key to turning this thing around for the Raptors is hitting on draft picks. This places a decent amount of pressure on the Raptors scouting department to surround Barnes with complementary role players.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, he revealed in his latest mock draft that he has the Raptors taking Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard with the No. 6 pick in this upcoming draft.
Sheppard is a 6’3″ guard that is a useful offensive tool. He is known for his shooting, but also playmaking and sound decision-making. The 19-year-old averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists on 53.6 percent from the field and 52.1 percent from three-point range.
This would be an intriguing player to add to Toronto’s guard room, adding another offensive-threat behind Immanuel Quickley. Strengthening the guard rotation is something that the Raptors will have to address when it comes to the draft.
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 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.
ESPN mock draft has Toronto selecting Matas Buzelis, Jared McCain & Ryan Dunn
As mock drafts continue to come out, a popular name is Matas Buzelis out of the G-League Ignite. He could make a difference come draft night for the Raptors.
However in addition to Buzelis, ESPN projected Toronto taking Duke’s Jared McCain and Ryan Dunn of Virginia in their latest mock draft.
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