In just a week, we’ll have a much clearer picture of how close the Toronto Raptors truly are to turning the corner and rejoining the ranks of serious contenders.
The Raptors took a major step toward accelerating their rebuild when they traded for former All-Star Brandon Ingram in February—but the biggest boost could come next if the ping-pong balls bounce in their favor at the NBA Draft Lottery.
Toronto enters the lottery with the seventh-best odds (7.5%) of landing the No. 1 overall pick and a 31.9% chance of jumping into the Top 4—a potentially franchise-altering opportunity.
At the top of this year’s draft class stands Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, widely regarded as the consensus No. 1 pick. Touted as a generational talent, Flagg is a relentless, high-IQ defender who’s steadily evolving as a scorer and shooter. His all-around game and fierce competitiveness have already drawn comparisons to elite names like Jayson Tatum, Kevin Garnett, Scottie Pippen, and Kawhi Leonard.
Landing Flagg would instantly reshape Toronto’s trajectory. Pairing him with Scottie Barnes—already blossoming into a franchise cornerstone—would give the Raptors one of the most versatile and dynamic young duos in the league. With time to develop together, they could bring Toronto back into serious contention and reignite championship hopes in the East.
This wouldn’t be an easy team to score on. While perimeter shooting could remain a concern, the Raptors would have multiple ways to generate offense, especially with Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley playing off their teammates and capitalizing on the open looks created by a high-IQ, unselfish core.
Of course, the dream scenario for Toronto at the NBA Draft Lottery is landing the No. 1 overall pick and selecting Cooper Flagg. But even moving up to No. 2 would be a major win. That would give the Raptors a shot at Rutgers star Dylan Harper, a 6-foot-6 combo guard who has drawn comparisons to Cade Cunningham—only Harper is seen as a better athlete and finisher. With elite scoring instincts and the ability to run an offense, Harper is widely considered the best offensive player in the draft—a perfect fit for a Toronto team desperate for firepower.
If the Raptors fall outside the top two, the drop-off is noticeable. While selecting third or fourth still puts them in range for high-upside players like Rutgers forward Ace Bailey, Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe, or Texas guard Tre Johnson, none are viewed as instant franchise-changers like Flagg or Harper. And with a 34.1% chance of falling to No. 8 and 12.9% to No. 9, Toronto is staring at a wide tier of solid—but not necessarily transformative—prospects.
At that point, it becomes more about need. With Jakob Poeltl nearing 30 and holding a player option for next summer, Toronto could look for a long-term center. Duke’s Khaman Maluach and Maryland’s Derik Queen fit that mold and could bolster a frontcourt that lacks depth.
On the perimeter, while the Raptors are already stacked with wings, they still need more shooting. Prospects like Tre Johnson, Duke sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, Illinois playmaker Kasparas Jakucionis, and Michigan State’s Jase Richardson all offer floor-spacing upside. And if Toronto wants to swing on another potential star guard, Oklahoma point guard Jeremiah Fears might be the answer—many see him as the second-best bet in the class behind Harper to develop into a dynamic, high-scoring lead guard.
Bottom line: if Toronto hits on lottery night, the rebuild fast-tracks overnight. If not, they’ll need to thread the needle carefully to stay on the path back to relevance.
Jeremiah Fears and Jase Richardson are among the youngest players expected to go in the lottery, with Flagg being the youngest of the bunch. Both raised their stock significantly late in the season, showcasing impressive finishes that always intrigue evaluators looking to project a player’s potential. These late surges make them especially intriguing as future stars, with their developmental trajectory still wide open.
The NBA Draft is set for June 25 and 26, and the Raptors also hold the 39th pick on Day 2. But next Monday’s lottery will determine how long Toronto has to wait on Day 1 before NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces their newest addition. The outcome of the lottery could mark the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise—one that could change the course of the team’s future.