With the NBA Draft getting closer every day, it is the perfect time to look at which prospects analysts are connecting to the Raptors at pick No. 19. Raptors Republic has already started its draft coverage — with much, much more to come. But for now, let’s lay out the media landscape and see who the experts have the Raptors picking in the upcoming draft.
Could the Raptors add another big in consecutive drafts?
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic recently mocked Kentucky big man Jayden Quaintance to Toronto, and the fit makes a lot of sense.
Outside of Jakob Poeltl, the Raptors do not really have another centre capable of giving them reliable minutes. And Poeltl saw a dip in production last season, appearing in just 46 games while averaging 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. And, yes, Collin Murray-Boyles is remarkable, and has found his best moments as a big. But he’s undersized as a big and likely can’t play all his minutes at that position.
Quaintance is one of the more intriguing names in this draft class. The 18-year-old played only four games this season while attempting to return from a torn ACL, but his defensive upside is undeniable.
As a 17-year-old at Arizona State, Quaintance earned Big 12 All-Defensive Team honours after averaging 1.1 steals and 2.6 blocks per game. When healthy, he has all the tools to become a high-level defensive anchor at the next level.
There is definitely risk attached because of the ACL injury, but the upside could make it worth the gamble. Vecenie compared him to Robert Williams III, saying he “would fit nicely with the Raptors’ decision to go all-in on mobile defenders with length and high-level defensive IQ.”
Jeremy Woo of ESPN has also linked several players to Toronto in recent mock drafts. In an earlier mock, Woo had the Raptors selecting Houston centre Chris Cenac during the first round of the draft.
Like Quaintance, Cenac would address Toronto’s need for depth at centre. He comes in with a strong high-school resume and plenty of long-term upside. Woo noted that “his fluidity at his size and flashes of shooting touch set him apart from most of the bigs in this class.”
Cenac would bring a much more explosive and athletic style than Poeltl, and it would be interesting to see how a rim-running big would fit alongside Scottie Barnes in transition and pick-and-roll situations.
Will the Raptors instead add a scoring guard?
Another player Woo connected to Toronto is guard Bennett Stirtz. Woo believes Stirtz “would be an immediate boost to their backcourt as a plug-and-play option, helping improve spacing and giving them another half-court playmaker.”
That fit becomes even more interesting when looking at Immanuel Quickley’s situation. Considering the size of his contract, Quickley has not been consistent enough and has struggled to stay healthy. He didn’t appear in Toronto’s playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
If the Raptors decide to move on from Quickley at some point, drafting a young floor general like Stirtz could give them a cheaper long-term option in the backcourt.
J. Kyle Mann of The Ringer has Toronto selecting Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie. Mann described Okorie as the type of explosive guard the Raptors have lacked for years.
“Okorie might be the best driver in the class,” Mann wrote, “with unrivaled acceleration and finishing ability around the rim for a player his size.”
He also explained why the fit alongside Toronto’s core pieces makes sense. “Knifing into the heart of the defense is how you maximize a player like Collin Murray-Boyles, who excels in the dunker spot, and how you get the most out of Scottie Barnes attacking downhill against an already collapsed defense. That’s the promise that Okorie offers.”
Okorie averaged an impressive 23.2 points per game at Stanford while shooting 47 percent from the field, with half of his made baskets coming at the rim.
Or do the Raptors want to add another defensive-minded forward?
Steph Noh of Sporting News, has the Raptors selecting Michigans’ Morez Johnson. Noh acknowledges that the Raptors lean heavy on the defensive end of the floor, especially under Darko Rajakovic and he belives Johnson will be able to fit right into their system.
“The versatile forward is tough as nails, and he’s got touch near the tim as a play finisher.
Johnson was great during March Madness. The forward started every game his sophomore season for a 37-3 national champion Michigan team. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.1 minutes per contest.
One of Johnson’s best skills is his knack for rebounding, a department that the 2025-26 Raptors really struggled with. Over his last two games in the tournament alone, he logged 53 minutes and tallied 17 rebounds, nine of which were on the offensive glass.
At the end of the day, whether the team targets a defensive-minded big, an explosive scorer, or a steady playmaker, one thing is for certain: the No. 19 pick will play an important role in shaping the next phase of the franchise.
The Raptors are close, but not there yet, as the playoffs proved. It’s time for them to go for it. This pick needs to be the first step in that direction
