The 2023–24 NBA season is almost over, and in a few days the Toronto Raptors will shift their focus from playing basketball to getting ready for the highly anticipated 2024 NBA Draft. The front staff must select genuine long-term players this year in the draft to help the team turn things around after yet another disappointing season.
The Raptors are in a position to finish sixth in lottery odds, which would give them about a 50% chance of keeping their Top-6 protected first-round pick after they suffered 15 straight losses during the season’s final stretch. The Raptors may have three picks in the first 31 selections of June’s draft if they include the first-round picks of Indiana and Detroit.
There won’t be a clear-cut superstar prospect at the top like Victor Wembanyama in 2023 or a top tier of great talent as in 2022 with Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jabari Smith Jr. because the 2024 draft is thought to be very weak. Therefore, a flat draft creates uncertainty and makes decisions more difficult, especially for the top teams (as in 2013 when a similarly flat draft produced surprise pick Anthony Bennett at No. 1). It can also lead to complete chaos.
The Raptors have a basic draft plan.
The Raptors benefit from not having to waste time scouting numerous players in preparation for the 2024 NBA Draft. It is unnecessary for them to attempt contrasting the legitimacy of foreign wings with inflated domestic guards. The Raptors’ decision was made for them if their front office had a TV on Monday night.
All the Toronto Raptors have to do is select a Connecticut Huskies player in the draft.
In the National Championship Game on Monday night, UConn utterly destroyed the Purdue Boilermakers, recording their 12th consecutive double-digit triumph in tournament play over the previous two years. They became the first team to win the title again since Florida in 2007 and the first team to do so in such a dominant way since a guy by the name of Lew Alcindor had “UCLA” emblazoned over his chest.
The Huskies have a good number of NBA prospects, yet some collegiate teams succeed even in the absence of NBA talent. This implies that the Raptors can select one of the Huskies as their next draft pick without having to search far.
Naturally, not every player on the team is worth choosing, and only a select few are worthy of a Top-6 selection. However, it becomes clear that a possible connection might be found when the Raptors consider their long-term needs and the names of the top prospects on the champions.
Zach Edey, a 7’4″ center, had some impressive numbers going into the championship game as a two-time National Player of the Year. However, Donovan Clingan, a 7’2″ center from UConn, knocked Edey off his game for the majority of the game. Edey shot a whopping 25 times to reach 37 points, which was a relatively inefficient night for him. When matched up against Clingan, Edey was consistently forced into less efficient shots or turnovers. Standing at 7’2″ with a wingspan of 7’7″, he has an equal influence on the paint as any player in the draft.
Currently positioned in the middle, Jakob Poeltl is a prime target to be traded as the Raptors continue their retooling, and Clingan would be a superb replacement as a potential All-Defense center. He can finish well enough inside to be a component of the offensive gameplan, and he is an excellent rebounder and lob threat in pick-and-roll situations. He would make a fantastic choice for the Top 6.
ideal match for the Toronto Raptors
However, UConn freshman Stephon Castle is an even more obvious choice in the Top 6 if Toronto wants to add someone even more fitting. The 6’6″ guard became a vital starter for the powerful Huskies squad, going for 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal in the championship game.
Currently positioned in the middle, Jakob Poeltl is a prime target to be traded as the Raptors continue their retooling, and Clingan would be a superb replacement as a potential All-Defense center. He can finish well enough inside to be a component of the offensive gameplan, and he is an excellent rebounder and lob threat in pick-and-roll situations. He would make a fantastic choice for the Top 6.
ideal match for the Toronto Raptors
However, UConn freshman Stephon Castle is an even more obvious choice in the Top 6 if Toronto wants to add someone even more fitting. The 6’6″ guard became a vital starter for the powerful Huskies squad, going for 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal in the championship game.
His biggest suit appears to be defense, where he was virtually unstoppable. He brings a wealth of experience to the NBA Draft as a perimeter defender who can guard up to stop the premier scoring threat on the other side or take on point-of-attack duties. When Castle and Scottie Barnes combine, the opposition’s aggressive attacks are completely destroyed.
Castle is far from a defensive specialist, which is what makes him a good pick. As a ball handler and facilitator, he possesses exceptional timing and game sense. Additionally, his strength and quickness allow him to finish at the rim. The main swing factor is his shot, but his work ethic says he will become better at it, and even without it, his motor and other skills boost his floor to an exceptionally high level.
Further value can be discovered on the Connecticut squad as well; second-round selection of forward Alex Karaban is a possibility. Standing at 6’8″, he is a skilled catch-and-shoot player and has the potential to become a top-tier pick-and-pop specialist. A fascinating acquisition in the second round would be him.
For the second consecutive year, the Connecticut Huskies crushed the competition in the NCAA Tournament. Fortunately for the Raptors, they have a number of lottery prospects that should make it easy to choose on selection night in June.
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