The Toronto Raptors have some big decisions to make with the 2024 NBA draft around the corner on June 26.
The latest: Toronto holds the No. 19 overall pick and selects again at No. 31 following a last-place finish in the Atlantic Divison. There are several ways the Raptors could go, with president Masai Ujiri stating his team covets a backup point guard, a bigger forward and a centre.
Check out four Raptors draft targets, including Toronto-born Zach Edey.
Raptors draft targets
Toronto's No. 19 pick is from the Pacers, while No. 31 is from the Pistons. That latter pick will kick off the second round of the draft, which takes place on June 27.
We'll start by looking at two players Toronto should be eyeing with its first-round pick.
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Name: Zach Edey
Age: 22
School: Purdue
Position: C
The first and biggest player on this list is Edey. The 7-foot-5, 299-pound centre is coming off his second consecutive National Player of the Year award after leading Purdue to the March Madness title game.
The Toronto native averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting a staggering 62.3% from the field.
Edey is fantastic in the low post. His size certainly helps, but he has skill and touch. He's a monster on the boards, especially on the offensive side where he averaged nearly 5.0 per game.
The 22-year-old is seen as one of the safer prospects in the class due to those skills being transferable to the NBA. He does lack foot speed, however, and will primarily play drop coverage in the NBA, a scheme the Raptors already run with Jakob Poeltl.
Toronto has worked out Edey and is surely interested in selecting him if he's available.
Name: Carlton Carrington
Age: 18
School: Pittsburgh
Position: PG/SG
One of the youngest players in the class is Pittsburgh combo guard Carlton "Bub" Carrington. The former Panther has good size for his position at 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds.
The soon-to-be 19-year-old averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists this past season. Carrington can create his own shot, giving him upside in a class that sorely lacks that skill.
The Baltimore native is comfortable off the dribble and exceptional in the mid-range. Toronto desperately needs some guard help, and Carrington is a creative playmaker who can provide that.
Thanks to his size, he could theoretically slide in next to Immanuel Quickley in the backcourt or be the lead guard off the bench.
Targets at No. 31
Name: Tyler Smith
Age: 19
School: G League Ignite
Position: PF
The only non-college player featured on this list is from the now-defunct G League Ignite. Tyler Smith was one of the few bright spots for the program that went a miserable 6-44 last year.
The 6-foot-10, 224-pound forward has a smooth jumper with good footwork and a quick release.
He averaged 13.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc.
Smith has worked out for Toronto and is a fit as a bigger body in the front court. He would help space the floor next to Scottie Barnes and Poeltl.
Name: Jaylon Tyson
Age: 21
School: California
Position: SG/SF
Jaylon Tyson is another second-round target. The 6-foot-6, 218-pound wing has been to Toronto for a workout and is one of the best scorers in the class.
Acting as the defacto point guard for California, the former Golden Bear averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Tyson can create shots for himself and others, is comfortable shooting off the dribble or off the catch and is physical when attacking the rim. That should all suit him well in the NBA.
As an older player in this class, the 21-year-old could provide an immediate impact in Toronto's rotation.
