The NBA Draft has finally arrived. Here are three players that our Raptors HQ experts believe the Toronto Raptors should take at pick 19 to take the next step.
Jayden Quaintance
An awesome choice at this pick is Jayden Quaintance. Some draft projections have him going too early for Toronto to get, but other boards have him somewhere in the 20s. It would be totally possible for him to still be available to the Raptors, as some teams have concerns about an Achilles and meniscus tear he sustained last year. Of course,
the Raptors have proven they’re patient and able to help rehab a player back into peak playing form.
His biggest asset is his defence (where have we heard that before). He’s big: six-foot-nine barefoot and 253 pounds with a standing reach of just over nine feet. With explosive strength and athleticism, he’s already a great rebounder, something that Toronto desperately needs. I’m imagining him and Collin Murray-Boyles sharing the court and collecting almost everything that comes off the boards. He also seems to have a motor, something that would fit well with what Toronto is building alongside guys like Jamal Shead and Murray-Boyles.
His offensive game is still a question mark (again, where have we heard that before), as he even struggles from the free-throw line. He shot 6-32 from long range during his college career, but did manage a 53 per cent field-goal percentage largely as a lob threat, operating in the paint, and rim running.
This could be a bit of a gamble, but Toronto got Ja’Kobe Walter at 19 two years ago, so perhaps this will be a lucky pick for the Raps. – Rebecca Schapelhouman
Chris Cenac Jr.
Chris Cenac would be my pick at number 19. Recently mocked as going 20th overall, the big man from Houston stands at 6’11, and has the potential to be the missing piece in Toronto’s offence. Not only is he a capable interior threat, but he has a great looking outside shot, adding some flexibility that the Raptors currently lack.
Cenac’s length exceeds that of other big men projected to be taken towards the middle of the draft, and while the Cougar is not known for his rim protection, extra height is never a bad thing when contending in the modern NBA. Having another centre could only help Toronto better navigate its murky situation at the 5, and with this draft relatively light on big men, grabbing him at pick 19 looks like the right way to go. A stretch big who is also capable on the boards does not come around often, so the front office should attempt to snap him up if he remains available.
Cenac’s ability to contribute offensively without being in the paint could open up offensive opportunities for RJ Barrett drives and Scottie Barnes post moves, allowing the stars to shine even more. Chris and Murray-Boyles could form an undersized “twin towers” duo, pairing the rookie’s lob threat with the sophomore’s interior presence. And considering the whispers about the Raptors trying to pick up Myles Turner, adding a true rebounding centre to balance out that deficiency could mean the difference as Toronto continues to shake up its roster. – Julian Apolinario
Christian Anderson
While I appreciate the idea of selecting a big man, I think the 2026 NBA Draft should be used to add someone who can contribute right away, especially if that prospect has an elite transferable skill. Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson is viewed by many analysts as the best shooter in this year’s draft. The Raptors were one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league last season. It’s a perfect fit.
Anderson shot a blistering 41.5 per cent on 7.9 three-point attempts. While the Raptors selected Gradey Dick out of Kansas for his shooting prowess (40.3 per cent on 5.7 attempts), Anderson has something different. The film shows the six-foot-one guard harnessing a shooting-aura that blankets perimeter defenders with dread. Anderson has unwavering confidence and legitimate game-breaking range that fits on any contending NBA bench. The next time defences load up on Scottie Barnes or Brandon Ingram in the playoffs, Raptors fans will want Anderson to get 3-4 attempts at a clean look from three.
While it’s true that Anderson will be hunted on the other side of the court, Toronto has enough weapons to absorb any potential problems. What’s the point of having elite defensive geniuses like Barnes and Murray-Boyles or pesky on-ball defenders like Shead and Walter if they can’t hide an offensive explosion waiting to happen like Anderson? – Kristian Cuaresma
