Raptors fans saw the franchise take a step in a vastly different direction last season, when Toronto parted ways with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby in midseason trades.
The emergence of Scottie Barnes as an All-Star and the arrival of RJ Barrett gave the Raptors a new core to build around, but a 25-win season was a sign that there is still plenty of work to do to return to relevance. in the East. Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery could help determine how quickly that plan can be implemented.
The Raptors won’t know if they’ll keep their own first-round pick until the final ping pong ball is drawn, as certain conditions could result in the pick going to the Spurs as part of the Jakob Poeltl trade in 2023. To Masai Ujiri he would very much like to keep the pick, even in a weak draft, and that was likely part of his calculation when the decision to move on from Anunoby and Siakam came long before the February deadline.
Here’s a closer look at the Raptors’ 2024 draft picks and what they need to happen to retain their first-round pick.
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Raptors NBA Draft lottery odds: How can Toronto keep its pick?
The Raptors enter the NBA Draft Lottery with the No. 6 pick and the sixth-highest chance of landing the No. 1 pick. Their pick would go to San Antonio if they fall outside the top six.
Toronto is well positioned, but the organization is far from guaranteed to keep the selection. To retain the pick, the Raptors can either get a top-four pick or simply not get passed in the order by a team behind them.
The lottery determines the first four picks in the draft. If the Raptors get any of those, they’ll be safe. If the top four doesn’t include the Raptors but does include some combination of four of the five teams with the best odds, you’re still safe.
If a team currently scheduled to have the No. 7 pick or lower jumps to the top four, and that top four doesn’t include Toronto, the Raptors would slide to No. 7 (or lower) and lose their pick to the Spurs.
Below are the odds of each team getting a top-four pick. The Raptors have a 37.2 percent chance of moving up, while the Grizzlies (32 percent), Jazz (26.3 percent) and Rockets (20.3 percent) are three teams Toronto fans will have What to expect to be unlucky and finish in the top four. .
| Equipment | Odds of getting a top 4 pick |
| Pistons | 52.1% |
| magicians | 52.1% |
| Hornets | 50.3% |
| Trail jackets | 50.0% |
| Spurs | 42.8% |
| Raptors | 37.2% |
| Grizzlies | 32.0% |
| Jazz | 26.3% |
| Rockets (via Nets) | 20.3% |
| Falcons | 13.9% |
| Bulls | 9.4% |
| rockets | 7.1% |
| Kings | 3.8% |
| Warriors | 3.4% |
While landing in the top four is the dream of Ujiri and the Raptors organization, simply hoping to win chalk and see how the lottery plays out without any drama would be fine for Toronto.
Here’s a look at the Raptors’ complete collection of 2024 draft picks.
Raptors 2024 draft picks
The Raptors currently own three picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, all of which are in the top 35. That would drop to two if their own first-round pick doesn’t make the top six.
| Choose | Of | Condition |
| No 6 | N/A | Top-6 protected |
| No. 19 | pacemaker | N/A |
| No. 31 | Pistons | N/A |
The good news for Toronto in the event of a disappointing lottery result is that Ujiri would still have assets to work with. The Raptors own the Pacers’ first-round pick (No. 19 overall) as a result of the Siakam trade, and got the Pistons’ second-round pick (No. 31 overall) from the Knicks in the deal. by Anunoby.
If the Raptors keep their own first-round pick, they will be exceptionally well-equipped to add depth to their roster. This draft isn’t loaded with talent, but three top-31 picks in a class that’s by no means the top-heavy would give Ujiri three spins of the wheel in hopes that at least one new long-term addition can emerge. term. piece.
