Which player every NBA Draft Mock says the Toronto Raptors will choose
Khaman Maluach is the most popular choice for the Raptors, but the problem is, what if he’s not available?
It’s time for the final mock draft board for most sites, pending new rumours that would pop up and affect the draft projections. However, if there’s one name echoing across mock draft boards louder than a “Let’s go Raptors!” chant at Scotiabank Arena, it’s Khaman Maluach going to Toronto. Several mock draft sites are riding the wave of his potential elite rim protection, raw athleticism, and massive upside. He’s raw, sure—but raw doesn’t scare Masai Ujiri. If anything, that’s the Toronto Raptors’ love language.
But there’s a twist in the timeline. While Maluach leads the mock pack, there’s a rising buzz around Kasparas Jakucionis and other names like Carter Bryant, Derik Queen, Egor Demin, and Noa Essengue, rounding out a pool of prospects that paint a clear picture: scouts see the Raptors hunting size, versatility, and two-way upside—classic traits of Masai’s “Vision 6’9” manifesto. Whether Toronto leans into rim protection, playmaking, or positional fluidity, the consensus is clear—this draft is about potential, patience, and maybe a little bit of chaos.
Here’s who each big Mock Draft has the Toronto Raptors picking:
Tankathon — Khaman Maluach
39th pick: Sion James
Updated June 23, 2025
Tankathon sticks to the Raptors’ brand of length and defensive upside, projecting Khaman Maluach at the 9th spot. The 7-foot South Sudanese center has raw tools but flashes elite rim protection instincts and fluid mobility. Meanwhile, at 39, Sion James, who worked out with the Raptors, is a strong, switchable 3+D wing Senior from Duke.
NBADraft.net — Khaman Maluach
39th pick: Tyrese Proctor
Updated June 24, 2025
Another vote for Khaman. With Proctor at 39, this is a value swing — it’s a low-risk, high-reward potential for this high-IQ combo guard.
The Ringer — Khaman Maluach
39th pick: N/A
Updated June 23, 2025
J Kyle Mann loves long-term upside, and Maluach fits that theme. No second-round selection is listed on The Ringer’s mock. Still, Izan Almansa and Hansen Yang could be potential targets at 39 based on their Big Board.
Yahoo Sports NBA — Asa Newell
39th pick: John Tonje
Updated June 23, 2025
Kevin O’Connor makes a curveball pick here with Asa Newell, banking on his ceiling as a versatile modern 4 with bounce and shooting potential. At 39, Tonje is a bet on shotmaking — he’s one of the more polished seniors in the class and ready to play right away.
No Ceilings NBA — Carter Bryant
39th pick: Jamir Watkins
Updated June 23, 2025
With Maluach off the board, the guys at No Ceilings opt for Carter Bryant — a low-usage 3+D wing who could thrive in Darko’s motion-heavy offense. The draft team considered Joan Beringer and Jakucionis, too.
NBADraftRoom — Egor Demin
39th pick: Rocco Zikarsky
Updated June 22, 2025
With Maluach gone, this NBA Draft Room Mock goes with Egor Demin — the jumbo guard from Russia who reads the game like a seasoned vet. Rocco Zikarsky, meanwhile, is a 7’2 Aussie project that could be a draft-and-stash, if not a Raptors 905 redshirt year.
The Athletic — Khaman Maluach
39th pick: Alex Toohey
Updated June 23, 2025
The Athletic joins the Maluach train — and it tracks. The idea is that Toronto develops him into the next rim-running, shot-swatting cornerstone. Toohey at 39 is an underrated get: a connector forward with vision and touch.
Bleacher Report — Derik Queen
39th pick: Hansen Yang
Updated June 23, 2025
No Khaman here — so Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman gives Toronto a different kind of big in Derik Queen, an interior-savvy scorer with soft hands and elite footwork; it’s an offence-first pivot. At 39, they go with Hansen Yang, an intriguing prospect from China with sneaky mobility, passing, and touch.
USA Today FTW — Khaman Maluach
39th pick: Jamir Watkins
Updated June 24, 2025
FTW’s Bryan Kalbrosky backs the popular pick of Maluach, citing his upside and Raptors-style profile. At 39, Jamir Watkins gets the nod — a big-bodied wing who excels at slashing and defending. He’s got “rotation-ready” written all over him.
SBNation NBA — Kasparas Jakucionis
39th pick: N/A
Updated June 23, 2025
SBNation bucks the trend and goes with Kasparas Jakucionis, the Lithuanian floor general out of Illinois. At 6’5” with poise and feel, he’s viewed as a stabilizer for the Raptors’ young backcourt. This is a bet on IQ and versatility over raw tools.
CBS Composite (Boone, Parrish, Finkelstein, Salerno, Norlander, Cobb, Ward-Henninger)
Updated June 23, 2025
- Kyle Boone & David Cobb: Khaman Maluach
- Gary Parrish & Cameron Salerno: Derik Queen
- Matt Norlander: Jeremiah Fears
- Colin Ward-Henninger: Carter Byant
- Adam Finkelstein: Kasparas Jakucionis
The CBS draft gurus can’t agree — but the Maluach/Queen/Bryant/Jakucionis/Fears axis shows the range of needs Toronto might address. Defense, creation, or polish. Jakob insurance, wing depth, or offensive punch.
ESPN — Noa Essengue
39th pick: John Tonje
Updated June 23, 2025
Jonathan Givony goes complete “Vision 6’10” here with Noa Essengue. The French forward oozes Raptorsy traits: length, motor, upside. Givony notes he “fits the Raptor’s DNA.” Tonje again at 39 — a consistent second-round name this cycle.
Right now, the FanDuel Odds still suggest that Khaman Maluach (+230) is the Raptors’ guy. Stay up to date on the latest rumors and odds on our NBA Draft Toronto Raptors tracker by clicking here.