Raptors Draft Intriguing French Forward In CBS Sports’ Mock Draft

The Toronto Raptors fell outside of the top-six at the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery.

Their pick fell to No. 8 and as a result they had to relinquish it to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the Jakob Poeltl trade.

Toronto now has two picks to work with ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft. They have No. 19 via the Indiana Pacers and No. 31 via the Detroit Pistons.

At No. 19 the Raptors can still find an intriguing prospect. One that they can integrate into their young core.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports put out his latest mock draft and he has the Raptors selecting Tidjane Salaun from France. This is what he had to say about the frenchman:

“He’s a wing with size who is an emerging shooter and plus-defender with a good motor. At this point in his career, he’s more of a spot-up shooter than an off-the-bounce shooter. But Salaun is still only 18 years old, point being there’s plenty of time to expand his game on both ends for a Toronto franchise that’s still likely multiple years from competing in the Eastern Conference again.”

This past season Salaun averaged 9.6 points per game while shooting 37.3 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from three. Salaun would be a project for the Raptors, but Toronto can be patient here since they are in the midst of a rebuild.

Salaun is coming off a career game in the French playoffs. He put up 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in 25 minutes in Cholet’s upset road win over the No. 2 seed Paris, snapping their 25-game winning streak. It was a strong showing from the 18-year-old.

Salaun might be a player who the Raptors want to keep tabs on as the draft approaches. He could end up being a prospect worth taking a chance on at No. 19 given his high-upside.

Bleacher Report has Raptors drafting Kyle Filipowski No. 19

Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report released his latest mock draft and he has the Raptors taking Kyle Filipowski from Duke at No. 19. Filipowski is a 7’0″ center who is coming off a solid sophomore season.