The Toronto Raptors maintain they’ll be content regardless of whether they retain their first-round pick this year, but their actions at the end of the season indicate a desire to hold onto it.
The team strategically positioned themselves for a higher chance at retaining their pick by finishing the season with a 2-18 record over the final five weeks. Despite injuries and player absences contributing to their struggles, their objective was clear: secure a spot in the bottom six of the standings, which they achieved.
With a 45.8% chance of keeping their pick, the odds are not overwhelmingly in Toronto’s favor. Most likely, they’ll convey a pick ranging from No. 7 to No. 10 to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the Jakob Poeltl trade from last year.
While some argue for Toronto to send the pick this year, citing the perceived weakness of the draft class, the Raptors express gratitude regardless of the outcome. However, their actions suggest a preference for keeping the pick.
Their decision to tank towards the end of the season indicates a desire to improve their lottery odds, recognizing the potential value of securing a top pick in this year’s draft. The possibility of adding a top talent to pair with Scottie Barnes for the future is enticing, as opposed to potentially missing out on this opportunity by waiting for the 2025 draft.
Although the organization maintains a neutral stance publicly, their strategic moves suggest they recognize the significance of landing a top-six pick and the impact it could have on their rebuild going forward.
