The regular season has wrapped up for the Toronto Raptors.
During the back half of the season, the goal for the Raptors became to secure the sixth-worst record in the league. Toronto now has a 45.8 percent chance of keeping their first-round pick ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Assuming the ping pong balls fall the team’s way, this could be another big piece to the puzzle. Adding and hitting on first-round talent is a very integral part of turning a franchise around.
According to Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN, they predicted Toronto taking Matas Buzelis of the G-League Ignite with the No. 6 pick.
Buzelis is a 6’10” forward, who is averaging 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Starting in all 26 games for the Ignite this season, he is a lengthy forward who can protect the rim but he only shoots 27.3 percent from the three-point line.
However, Buzelis looks to be a fundamentally sound player who can create for himself in the post or mid-range. It would certainly be an intriguing fit alongside Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.
In addition to Buzelis, Givony and Woo mentioned the Raptors taking Jared McCain from Duke at No. 18 via the Indiana Pacers.
McCain is a 6’3″ guard that could become a three-level scorer as he averaged 14.3 points a contest on 46.2 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three-point range. The backup point guard spot is something of need for the Raptors.
Lastly, Givony and Woo have Toronto taking Ryan Dunn of Virginia with the No. 31 pick via the Detroit Pistons.
Dunn is a defensive-minded player at 6’8″, who averages 2.3 blocks a contest. While also being able to guard on the perimeter, getting 1.3 steals. In addition to running his lane well in transition to get downhill.
In a draft that does not feature a ton of star-studded prospects, this may work better for Toronto to surround its core with possible rotational pieces.
Darko Rajakovic shares team’s biggest needs going into offseason
There is a lot of needs for the Raptors to try and address this offseason. However, there is no rush to turn this thing around overnight.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic mentioned size, skill and defense as specific needs for the Raptors this summer.
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