With the 2023-24 regular season officially over, the Toronto Raptors end their roller coaster season with a 25-57 record.
Retooling rather than rebuilding, the Raptors enter the 2024 offseason with limited financial flexibility. At minimum, they’re projected to be $26.9 million above the cap. Their best roster-building tool may be the $10.2 million trade exception that they can use until Jan. 17.
Raptors’ Draft Picture Getting Clearer
The Raptors control two first-round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Toronto retained their original first-rounder, a top-six protected pick that they were supposed to send to the San Antonio Spurs for their acquisition of Jakob Poeltl, after failing to overcome the loss of Scottie Barnes. The Raptors are the odds-on favorite to land the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Raptors will also have a mid-first round pick. The Indiana Pacers dealt the selection to the Raptors in their trade package for All-Star forward Pascal Siakam. A top-three protected pick, it was all but guaranteed to convey.
Toronto notably has control of the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft as well. The Raptors acquired this pick when they sent OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks. Originally belonging to Detroit Pistons, the Knicks landed the pick in a draft night for Quentin Grimes.
Raptors Draft Outlook
The Raptors will have several options in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Because they have established talents like Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley on the roster, they could use one or more of the picks to acquire a veteran star. In such a scenario, their decision to hold onto the position-less Bruce Brown would make more sense. He’s always been an odd fit in Toronto’s rotation. However, his $23 million expiring contract can be used to match salaries and sweeten the deal.
Due to the youth of their current core, they could keep their lottery selection. In fact, because the 2024 NBA Draft isn’t particularly strong, packaging picks to move up in the lottery could be easier than normal. If they take this route, targeting a shot-blocker such as Alexandre Sarr or Donovan Clingan goes a long way towards improving their defense. Colorado’s Cody Williams, Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, and JL Bourg’s Zaccharie Risacher also fit the team’s needs as 3-and-D role players.
If drafting for potential, G League Ignite forward Ron Holland may have the highest upside of any prospect. A two-way playmaker with a high motor, he has the hallmarks of a future All-Star. Just 18 years old, the Dallas native averaged 19.5 points per game last season.
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