2023 NBA Mock Draft: Trail Blazers get future star, Magic surprise at 6
By Tyler Watts
13. Toronto Raptors grab Cason Wallace
The Raptors are facing an uncertain future. They have a new head coach and three key pieces of their roster are entering free agency. Can they bring back Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., and Jakob Poeltl? Does Toronto want to? It feels like there will be changes this summer, and FVV feels like the most likely to move on.
The Raptors could target his replacement in the 2023 NBA Draft. There will be a strong group of guards available at 13, including Wallace. The 6’3 guard showed plenty of potential during his lone season at Kentucky, including as a defender. Wallace has a high basketball IQ, and he should quickly make an impact on both ends of the floor.
The Raptors have had success developing undersized guards, and Wallace feels like a natural replacement for VanVleet. The 19-year-old has drawn some Jrue Holiday comparisons for his defense, and he could become a strong catch-and-shoot option in the NBA because of his quick release.
Toronto could go in a lot of different directions this offseason, which will impact this pick. Even if VanVleet returns, Cason Wallace could play next to him as a floor spacer and defender as the team attempts to develop him as the leader of the second unit. Wallace could go in the top ten, but it would be surprising to see him slip past the middle of the first round.