7) Toronto Raptors--Kasparas Jakucionis
It's a bit of a mystery who the Toronto Raptors will select with their top 10 pick in this year's draft. They don't have any glaring holes as far as positions, with them having a young player in every spot as well as a recently acquired All-Star in Brandon Ingram.
Nevertheless, they don't appear close to being a playoff team, so they should look to take the best player available here at seven. That could be Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis. There were some question marks regarding his game prior to the NCAA Tournament, but he played well, helping to solidify his stock as a top 10 player in this year's draft class.
Jakucionis is a big and shifty point guard who makes up for his lack of athleticism by keeping his defenders off balance. He is effective using changes of pace and pick-and-rolls to get into the paint and has the ability to knock down pull-ups or craftily finish at the rim. He is also a terrific passer and would give any team a potentially talented, offensive-minded point guard who can make plays for himself and others in the pick and roll.
There are still questions about his defense and his 3-point shot, with him hitting only 33.3% of those shots. However, he may fare better in the NBA playing alongside a talented young team that includes star Scottie Barnes.
That would allow him to play more off-ball and could help him improve his 3-point shot selection, with him often taking many threes off the dribble. Spotting up more should allow his 3-point percentage to improve and dramatically increase his value, possibly making him a great pick at seventh for the Raptors.
8) San Antonio Spurs—Tre Johnson
Texas guard Tre Johnson has been increasingly mocked to fall in the second half of the top 10, and the San Antonio Spurs would make for an interesting fit. Johnson is arguably the best shooter in his draft class, considering that he shot nearly 40% on 6.8 3-point attempts per game and his ability to nail difficult shots.
Johnson used his deadly jumper to average nearly 20 points per game, though he isn't particularly well-rounded. He isn't a great defender, rebounder, or passer. That limits his ceiling, but he could fill a role as a microwave scorer off the bench or a bucket-getting starter who may not close games depending on how he performs.
The Spurs sort of already have that player with Devin Vassell, who is a terrific shooter—ignoring his struggles this season —but doesn't provide much in other areas aside from his defense, which comes and goes.
Still, Johnson could eventually replace Vassell if he is deemed too costly. In the meantime, he could slot in beside Keldon Johnson in the second unit and give the Spurs some offensive pop. They desperately need shooting, and Tre Johnson can immediately provide that in several ways. He can shoot off the dribble and should be able to shoot moving off screens and spotting up, making a solid fit for the Spurs.