Toronto Raptors: 3 options for the 29th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft

The Toronto Raptors have the second to last pick in the first round of this year’s NBA draft. Let’s take a look at three options for the 29th pick.

One of the lesser discussed teams going into the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft is the 2018-2019 champion Toronto Raptors, and honestly, rightfully so.

Looking back, they’ve drafted just two players in the last three drafts: OG Anunoby with the 23rd pick in 2017, and Dewan Hernandez with the 59th pick of last year’s draft.

Given the uncertainty of the franchise’s direction going forward (which starts and ends with their pending free agents) it’s safe to assume that they’ll be keeping this year’s selection, and/or trading for even more picks to ensure they maintain a foundation of youth for the future.

Even if Fred VanVleet walks to a team like the New York Knicks, and both Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka make their way onto a contender; Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Chris Boucher, and this year’s first-round pick is a great core to build on starting in next season.

Yet as long as veteran Kyle Lowry and Siakam remain on this roster, there’s no doubt the Raptors will aim to compete in the Eastern Conference. And after they won 53 games in their first season without 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, no one is blaming them for that.

That being said, Toronto is still going to perform due diligence on this year’s first-round draft selection. Let’s take a look at three options for the Raptors at the 29th overall pick.

With potential losses in the frontcourt looming for the Toronto Raptors, Killian Tillie out of Gonzaga University could provide an instant reinforcement. 

While it’s safe to say that the Toronto Raptors will do everything they can to retain Marc Gasol, or more importantly Serge Ibaka, they’re likely both as good as gone. Contending teams will have what feels like a first bid opportunity at both, despite the timing of what becomes of free agency.

Even as a team that won 53 games last season, the Raptors will be outdone in both the glitz and glamour that comes with suiting up next to top talent and competing for a championship. Ironically, it seems that Toronto may have regressed back to their norm, pre-Kawhi, where they were always a top team in terms of the regular season, but promptly eliminated in the playoffs.

They’ve won a championship in between, so it’s hard to imagine they’re that upset about it, but it does hold implications over their chances at acquiring (or retaining) top talent in free agency. But nonetheless, the Raptors would be smart to target a big in the back end of the first round.

Cue Killian Tillie, out of Gonzaga, 6’10” stretch-five. He’s already 22 years old and coming off of his senior season with the Bulldogs, but is smart defensively and can really hit the three-ball.

His injury history isn’t promising. But what Tillie’s displayed when available and on the court places him within a tier that most would consider has a first-round ceiling.

Tillie averaged 13.6 points, five rebounds, and posted a 40 percent shooting average on over three shots from behind the arc in his final season at Gonzaga. Without the passing presence, he almost reminds one of a Marc Gasol-like big, or maybe more of a poor man’s Danilo Gallinari.

He’s not ready to start the center slot just yet, but in time, could very well man the position in years to come with some strengthening and work at his rebounding. With the 29th overall pick, the Toronto Raptors could do a lot worse than stretch four Killian Tillie.