THE 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place later this month, with the next crop of potential superstars set to join the world’s most prestigious basketball league.

With plenty of hype around the talent in the 2023 draft class, thanks to a French phenom locked in as the number-one pick and lots of depth later down the order, June 23 (AEST) will change the future of the league in a big way.

Rookie Me Central will be continuing the NBA Draft Team Preview series, taking a look at each participating side’s draft hand and some potential options at each selection. The next side on the agenda are the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors fell short of making the playoffs after being defeated by the Bulls in the play-in and have fallen into the lottery.

Toronto has made a coaching change with Nick Nurse departing the team, and the next era for the club appears imminent. Aiding that process will be the inclusion of some young talent via the draft, where they hold a top-15 pick later this month.

Toronto Raptors

Draft selections

13

Contracted players

Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet (player option), OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr. (player option), Chris Boucher, Thaddeus Young, Scottie Barnes, Otto Porter, Precious Achiuwa, Malachi Flynn, Christian Koloko, Joe Wieskamp, Jeff Dowtin (qualifying offer), Ron Harper Jr. (qualifying offer)

The future of the Raptors roster has been the subject of plenty of speculation over the past few months, but the injection of some young talent at the upcoming draft could be an important piece in the team’s future.

In terms of addressing the team’s needs, the Raptors would ideally like to improve their perimeter presence, given they were one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league last season. To help this matter, Toronto could target Nick Smith Jr. with their sole selection in the draft.

Although he battled injury during his freshman campaign at Arkansas, Smith Jr. has shown enough to be a serious offensive contributor in the future. He can shoot both off the dribble and in a catch and shoot scenario, pass out of the dribble and put pressure on the rim, all of which would help generate offence for Toronto.

Another viable option around the same mark could be Jordan Hawkins, who also puts his hand up as a three-point threat, although he is expected to be off the board by the time Toronto is on the clock.

No one in the draft class made more three-pointers last season than Hawkins, and although he can improve his efficiency from behind the arc, he is clearly comfortable generating offence from downtown, which is exactly what Toronto is after.

The Raptors seem set to use this pick to improve their production from behind the arc, and with a pair of solid options that could be available, should be able to add someone to address this concern.