With the 2026 NBA Draft less than three weeks away, it makes sense that ‘mock draft’ becomes one of the most searched phrases among basketball enthusiasts. For Toronto Raptors supporters, this time of the year means becoming familiar with the array of players potentially available at pick 19.
In part one of a weekly mock draft round-up, a common thread binds the collection of prospects that media publications project to go to the Raptors. After a competitive seven-game series against the Cleveland
Cavaliers, it became clear that the Raptors didn’t have the offensive firepower to support their suffocating defence. Even if Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley had been healthy enough to play, Toronto would still have lacked the consistent scoring needed for a meaningful run, particularly outside its core and off the bench.
It explains why the mock drafts below highlight players who could theoretically slot in as an offensive spark plug. However, the precarious reality of picking 19th means choosing from a crop of players with notable flaws in their game.
The ‘momentum-shifting microwave scorer with questionable defensive tools or measurements ” archetype is a popular option in the area of the draft. The Raptors can deploy defensive stalwarts like Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles to help offset liabilities, but will any of these potential options provide enough offence to sway General Manager Bobby Webster into making the call on draft night?
One specific Iowa prospect is a popular option among analysts:
Bennett Stirtz (PG, 6’4, 22-years-old, Iowa)
The Ringer – J.Kyle Mann – (May 11)
- “…a pick-and-roll technician.”
- “…can provide ball-screen acumen while also shifting into movement-shooter mode…”
- “…Raptors have a lot of mouths to feed on offence; they just need a caterer. Even if Stirtz isn’t a star, he’d be helpful in that department.”
Yahoo Sports (Kevin O’Connor) – May 18
- “…feels the game at a different frequency…yet still makes scouts squint because he doesn’t look the part athletically.”
- “…he kept cooking with bullseye passes…and shooting touch off the dribble…”
- “…could thrive as both a floor general and off-ball connector.”
ESPN (Jeremy Woo) – May 19
- “….teams hoping that his high-level shooting might give him the versatility to play off the ball.”
- “…shooting was streakier than anticipated at Iowa (35.8 per cent from three)…”
- “…ability to navigate screens, limit mistakes and knock down open shots gives him a path to a useful bench role in the right situation…”
USA Today (Bryan Kalbrosky) – May 28
- “…he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll.”
- “The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa.”
Tankathon (May 29)
- N/A
Bleacher Report (Zach Buckley) – May 30
- “Needs-based pick…”
- “…an elite shooter who reads the floor like a throwback general.”
- “Isn’t very long or explosive…”
Isaiah Evans (SG/SF, 6’7, 20-years-old, Duke)
NBADraft.net (Aran Smith) – May 28
- “…elite perimeter scorer with one of the purest shooting strokes in the class…”
- “…natural scoring instinct and aggressive mindset…”
- “…thin frame raises significant concerns about how much strength…”
- “…lacks foot speed and burst…”
Ebuka Okorie (PG, 6’2, 19-years-old, Stanford)
Sports Illustrated (Kevin Sweeney) – May 28
- “…scoring instincts are undeniable…”
- “…Raptors’ lack of creativity off the dribble was evident in this year’s playoffs, and Okorie would certainly help provide that.”
Labaron Philion (PG, 6’4, 20-years-old, Alabama)
- “…super shifty off the bounce and will thrive in an NBA drive-and-kick game…”
- “His three-point shot made a big leap this season (from 31.5 per cent to 40 per cent from deep while nearly doubling his volume)…”
- “…lower release point.”
- “…skinny and will probably never be a good defender…but…a potential high-octane creator.”
