The Toronto Raptors have been eliminated from playoff contention, so customers at Ontario sportsbooks might well be looking forward to the franchise’s future. That includes the 2024 NBA Draft, which is set to take place June 26-27 in New York City. Here is the latest projection of where Toronto will draft:
It looks like the Toronto Raptors will have three picks in the 2024 NBA Draft after all. How that might change their futures odds for the 2024-25 season at Ontario sports betting apps remains to be seen.
This is all thanks to the complicated world of NBA Draft selections and their stipulations. Long story short, if the Raptors finish as one of the six worst teams in the league, they will get to keep their first-round pick this summer. Heading into the final days of the regular season, that is almost a done deal.
The Raptors owe the San Antonio Spurs their original first-round selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, again unless Toronto has one of the six worst records in the 2023-24 season. Otherwise, Toronto will ship its 2025 first-round pick to San Antonio.
At the start of the season in late October, Toronto had +10000 odds at BetMGM Ontario Sportsbook to win the NBA title. And in the first half of the season, the Raptors were on the edge of playoff contention (or at least play-in contention) at 16-25. Since then, Toronto has lost 30 out of 39 games, with only a two-game series at the Miami Heat on Friday and Saturday remaining.
The Raptors are looking for help in the backcourt, whether it’s a point guard to direct the offense or a shooting guard to add points from the offense. Various operators including Caesars Ontario Sportsbook have props available for the 2024 NBA Draft.
Five current Raptors contracts will expire at the end of this season: Those of shooting guard/small forward Gary Trent, Jr., center/power forward Kelly Olynyk, guard Immanuel Quickley, small forward Jordan Nwora and guard/small forward Garrett Temple.
So who might the Raptors draft? Here are our odds, updated as of April 11:
With the emphasis of adding to the guard position, currently three options top the list of Raptors options on our board. These odds are exclusive to OntarioBets.com. The guard position is well-represented in this draft and Toronto should not have a problem in adding one or two players at the position.
In 58 games played this season, guard Gradey Dick is averaging 20.8 minutes, 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Toronto chose him No. 13 overall in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.
Last season, as a rookie, center Christian Koloko played 58 games, averaging 3.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. In On Jan. 17, 2024, the Raptors waived the 23-year-old after they traded Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers for three players. Koloko has not played this season because of a blood clot issue.
Check out our story about Toronto Raptors rebuilding and how it might impact Ontario sports betting futures.
The Toronto Raptors currently have three draft picks in the 2024 NBA Draft (as of April 11). They are projected to have two picks in the first round (sixth overall and No. 17 overall) and one in the second round, No. 31 overall.
As of April 11 the Raptors are projected to keep their first-round pick, which will happen if they finish with one of the six worst records in the league. They have further picks, acquired in trades, at No. 17 and No. 31 overall.
The Raptors will be looking to select a guard in the 2024 NBA Draft, which leads to UConn guard Stephon Castle being the favorite (+250) to land in Toronto followed by Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham (+350).
The Spurs currently own the Raptors’ 2024 pick as long as it doesn’t fall in the top six. If it does, Toronto gets to keep it and the Raptors will owe San Antonio their 2025 first-round pick.
Author
Lou Monaco has more than 30 years sports journalism experience with previous stints at ESPN SportsTicker, Daily Racing Form and Oddschecker. Lou had been East Coast Scene columnist for Gaming Today in Las Vegas since June 2019, covering the East Coast sportsbook scene.
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