Report: Raptors looking to trade into lottery to draft Gilgeous-Alexander
The Toronto Raptors are without a pick in Thursday's NBA draft, but they're hoping to acquire a first-rounder via trade and reportedly have a specific target in mind if they manage to do so.
The Raptors are hoping to find a deal that nets them a pick high enough to draft Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sources told Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who was born in Toronto and grew up in nearby Hamilton, averaged 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals with a .485/.404/.817 shooting line in his freshman season with the Wildcats.
He's projected to be a mid-to-late lottery selection, and one source told Stein that no player on the Raptors' roster is considered untouchable in their pursuit of a top-10 pick. ESPN's most recent mock draft has Gilgeous-Alexander going 11th overall to the Hornets.