Raptors Rumors: Toronto Attempting To Trade Up In Draft

The Toronto Raptors are reportedly looking to move up in the 202r NBA Draft.

The Raptors are one of three teams including the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers who are reportedly trying to trade up and improve their draft position, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.

Toronto missed out on a top-six pick after their pick fell to No. 8 and went to the San Antonio Spurs as compensation for the Jakob Poeltl trade.

Toronto has picks No. 19 and No. 31 in their back pocket.

It is unclear who the Raptors would be targeting if they do want to move up. The Raptors have recently been connected Purdue big man Zach Edey. He had a workout with Toronto at the OVO Athletic Center. Edey has been rising up mock drafts so if the Raptors truly want Edey they could look to trade for him.

The Trail Blazers and Cavaliers could look to move on up as the Blazers are in the middle of a rebuild and the Cavaliers could be headed for some major changes this summer.

Something else to monitor is the Raptors could also look to move Bruce Brown. He has a $23 million team option for next season. It has been reported that Toronto will take on his team option, but then trade Brown right after. Brown is a valuable rotation player who would make a ton of sense for playoff teams. The Raptors were open to moving Brown at the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline for a first-round pick.

The Raptors could use Brown in trade talks if they are serious about trading up.

This year’s draft is set for June 26 and 27.

ESPN lists biggest need and best fit For Raptors at No. 19 in latest mock draft

There’s a lot of speculation about who the Raptors will take with these two picks, especially at No. 19.

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN put out their latest mock draft and they looked at picks that fill the biggest need and are the best fit for each team, including the Toronto Raptors.