The Toronto Raptors are in a strong yet pressured position. Last night, they concluded the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft by selecting Baylor wing Ja’Kobe Walter to enhance their perimeter defense and shooting, addressing a crucial need for their roster. As the second round starts today at 4:00 PM ET, the Raptors hold the 31st pick and the privilege of making the first choice. Unless they trade this pick, which is quite possible given other teams’ interest in moving up, they will have access to the best remaining players.
This is an advantageous spot as several players expected to be first-round picks are still available. The Raptors’ top priorities are adding more shooting, a backup point guard, and a backup center. The top five remaining players could fulfill these needs.
According to ESPN’s mock draft, there’s a contentious prediction regarding the Raptors’ 31st pick. Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo from ESPN suggest that the Raptors might choose Adem Bona, a center from UCLA, which may not be the best move. Despite UCLA’s history of producing prominent centers like Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bona may not make a significant NBA impact.
Bona is known for his high energy
, relentless rebounding, and defensive capabilities, but his offensive skills are severely lacking. He struggles with ball handling, has poor hands, and offers no passing or shooting threat, making him a risky choice. In contrast, Kyle Filipowski, originally projected at No. 14, remains available and would be a valuable addition due to his modern skillset, aligning well with Scottie Barnes.
Choosing Bona over Filipowski, ranked 14th on the draft board, would be a mistake, especially considering the Raptors’ recent struggles with the center position. ESPN’s mock draft, which places Bona ahead of Filipowski, Kolek, and Furphy, could lead the Raptors in a problematic direction, echoing past errors in handling the center role. The team has a chance to correct course today, but following ESPN’s prediction could be detrimental.
