THE 2024 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft is rapidly approaching, with each team making their final preparations ahead of adding some young talent to the best competition in the world.

There are some seriously impressive prospects available, with the crop stretching all around the globe as more international players begin to gain recognition. Suddenly, the collegiate system is not the only method to joining the NBA, which has allowed a broader range of players to compete at the top level.

With the NBA wrapping up the 2023/24 season as we speak, the teams already eliminated have spent the past few weeks considering which players they will select to prepare for the future, and the recent Draft Lottery saw the official order determined.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at each team and how their draft will potentially pan out on June 26-27. With all 30 sides in their own unique situation, there is plenty to unpack ahead of the next injection of exciting players.

Next up in the series are the Toronto Raptors, who recently retooled their roster to build around young talent, and a pair of selections at the draft will speed up that process.

Toronto Raptors

Draft Selections

19, 31

Contracted Players

RJ Barrett, Bruce Brown (team option), Jakob Poetl, Kelly Olynyk, Chris Boucher, Scottie Barnes (team option), Gradey Dick, Jalen McDaniels, Ochai Agbaji (team option), Javon Freeman-Liberty

The Raptors won a championship just five years ago, but have now pivoted their strategy towards building for the future, with Barnes and Barrett the centrepieces moving forward.

The 2024 NBA Draft offers the opportunity for the team to add two more youngsters to the roster, and with both coming inside the top 31, they should be high quality pieces.

Owning the Pacers’ first round pick will help Toronto address one of its biggest areas of improvement which is perimeter shooting. The Raptors were one of the worst three-point teams in the NBA last season, and with Barnes needing more spacing around him to make the team more dynamic, a perimeter presence is ideal here.

One option that would fit the bill at pick 18 is Kyshawn George, a wing out of Miami. During his most recent season at NCAAM level, George made 41 per cent of his attempts from behind the arc, making the most of his impressive wingspan to become a premier presence on the perimeter at collegiate level, and with plenty of upside, he could grow into a star for Toronto.

Another option for the Raptors here would be Baylor freshman Ja’Kobe Walter, who is renowned as a pull-up threat and expert scorer. The combo guard can score on the move and has excellent defensive traits, making him a tantalising two-way prospect that could benefit the Raptors in the long term.

With their second pick and the 31st selection overall, the Raptors could look down under for inspiration and select NBL Next Star Bobi Klintman. The combo forward from Sweden impressed with his ability to take over matches last season, and if available in the early 30s, would be a worthy investment.