Latest Mock Draft Have Raptors Addressing Defensive Needs Early

The Toronto Raptors are expected to take Stephon Castle, Kel'el Ware, and KJ Simpson in this year's NBA Draft according to Bleacher Report

For years the Toronto Raptors prided themselves on being a defense-first organization.

They built a team full of 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-9 wings who could defend multiple positions and wreak havoc for opposing offenses. But then came the OG Anunoby trade and Toronto hasn’t been the same.

Since trading Anunoby to New York in late December, Toronto’s defense has been the second worst in the NBA. Only the Utah Jazz have a worse defensive rating over the last 41 games and the margin isn’t much.

It’s why the organization must take a serious look at bringing in some defensive know-how when the NBA Draft rolls around this summer and if Bleacher Report is right, that’s exactly what the Raptors will do.

No. 6: Stephon Castle (UConn)

The latest mock draft from Bleacher Report has Toronto taking one of college basketball’s best guard defenders this year. The 6-foot-6 Stephon Castle is a menace on the ball and has become a big reason why the Huskies have been the No. 1 team in college hoops this season.

Shooting has always been an issue for Castle who is making just 27.9% of his three-pointers this year, but aside from that, the 19-year-old brings almost everyone else you could look for in a prospect. He’s a skilled playmaker who can create for himself and others on the dribble. He looks at home navigating the pick-and-roll and his size should give him an advantage against most other guards in the NBA.

Defensively, he’s the kind of player the Raptors could really use moving forward. He has some of the same intensity that Toronto loved in Scottie Barnes and he's comfortable defending the point of attack in most situations.

Castle should be at or near the top of the draft come this summer but if UConn’s run continues deep into the tournament, No. 6 might not be high enough to nab the freshman phenome.

No. 17: Kel'el Ware (Indiana)

Toronto already has a pair of centers locked up for next season, but it wouldn’t hurt to add some youth to the frontcourt and Indiana’s Kel’el Ware would provide exactly that.

The 7-foot sophomore offers a ton of upside thanks to his fantastic finishing ability near the basket and impressive 42.5% three-point stroke this season. He averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks and earned Big Ten All-Defense honors this past season.

But questions seem to surround Ware’s effort and decision-making. He floated in and out of games at times for an Indiana team that disappointed this year. While Bleacher Report has him going in the middle of the first round, The Athletic sees Ware as an early second-round pick.

If Ware can put it together, he offers a lot to be excited about, but it may come down to fit for the 19-year-old and making sure he goes to a team that’s going to get the most out of him moving forward.

No. 31: KJ Simpson (Colorado)

KJ Simpson has had a breakout season for the Buffaloes this year, averaging a team-best 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 43.4% from three-point range. Production-wise, there’s a lot to like, but the 6-foot-2 Simpson is going to have skeptics because of his size.

He’s a little small to be an adequate defender and his athletic ability isn’t going to wow scouts.

Toronto has a mixed track record with players like Simpson in the past. Fred VanVleet, of course, defied the expectations in his career, but Malachi Flynn didn’t work out as an undersized and older guard taken late in the first round.

While Toronto does have guard depth, there’s no obvious backup point guard on the roster and that could be a hole the Raptors would like to fill this summer.