Toronto Raptors 2025 NBA Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
Leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, our Toronto Raptors Mock Draft Roundup will highlight recent picks for the Toronto Raptors from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Raptors:
5. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Ace Bailey is a complicated prospect with tremendous upside who is likely to have scouts split in their evaluation process. While he is 6-foot-10, there are some concerns about his shot selection and his passing. Bailey, regardless, is one of the most productive mid-range shooters among all recent prospects. But there are real reasons for evaluators to have concerns about his touch as he is shooting fairly poorly from the free-throw line.
3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
There's an increasingly wide range of opinions on Bailey, which is somewhat ironic considering he fits the athletic jumbo wing archetype that is in such high demand and also has some real shot-making to match. The concerns, which are the same as they were in high school, are based on his shot selection, decision-making, lack of rim pressure for such an athlete, and overall inconsistency.
Bleacher Report — Jonathan Wasserman
3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
January has shown us the biggest pros and cons with Ace Bailey's shotmaking, positional measurements, tough shot selection and limited burst/handle.
With Dylan Harper out, he exploded for 39 points, carrying Rutgers and generating offense with his jump shot and ridiculous release point. He then combined to shoot 8-of-31 in losses to Wisconsin and Purdue, having trouble earning easy baskets.
Bailey bounced back for an efficient performance against UCLA, where he picked his spots better, didn't force plays and used his length to disrupt defensively.
Even considering Bailey's weaknesses, NBA teams are going to feel a sense of comfort with a 6'10" wing who offers special shooting skills and an ability to create separation just by using his positional height/length.
With Dylan Harper out, he exploded for 39 points, carrying Rutgers and generating offense with his jump shot and ridiculous release point. He then combined to shoot 8-of-31 in losses to Wisconsin and Purdue, having trouble earning easy baskets.
Bailey bounced back for an efficient performance against UCLA, where he picked his spots better, didn't force plays and used his length to disrupt defensively.
Even considering Bailey's weaknesses, NBA teams are going to feel a sense of comfort with a 6'10" wing who offers special shooting skills and an ability to create separation just by using his positional height/length.
3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Bailey has turned into a highly polarizing player for scouts. What's unquestionable is his ability to create and make shots. He is about as ridiculous a shot-taker and shot-maker as you'll find, and no player's three-minute highlight reel this year will look better. You can put together a highlight package that makes him look like he's the NBA's next great elite wing creator because of his ability to make difficult shots. And yet, there's a lot that teams are worried about.
On those pull-up jumpers that Bailey loves to take, he's only made about 40 percent from the midrange and 33 percent from 3, per Synergy. In half-court settings, Bailey is creating attempts at the rim fewer than two times per game and only making them at a 54 percent clip despite being listed at 6-10 and possessing ridiculous levels of explosiveness. Moreover, Bailey is only averaging 0.7 assists per game. That's an almost impossible to believe nine assists in 406 minutes for someone who has the ball in their hands an awful lot.
But it's also worth remembering Bailey won't turn 19 until after draft day. While it is important to focus on what he struggles to do right now, he also is one of the better shot-makers I've ever evaluated at this age. Scouts still see the upside with Bailey if his development goes right over the next three years. I tend to be pretty averse to this type of player, and I still can't get him outside of my top four. Even if he does end up being just a shot-maker, he has a real chance to be very Michael Porter Jr.-like in his ability to hit catch-and-shoot 3s and create in a straight line. Part of why Porter has been so successful is that he's landed in a perfect spot next to Nikola Jokić, and a big part of why I have Bailey at No. 4 on my board is that no one has come and taken the slot from him. There's still much to be intrigued by with Bailey's ability to put the ball in the basket, and I've liked several flashes from him defensively this season as a switchable player with real size.
On those pull-up jumpers that Bailey loves to take, he's only made about 40 percent from the midrange and 33 percent from 3, per Synergy. In half-court settings, Bailey is creating attempts at the rim fewer than two times per game and only making them at a 54 percent clip despite being listed at 6-10 and possessing ridiculous levels of explosiveness. Moreover, Bailey is only averaging 0.7 assists per game. That's an almost impossible to believe nine assists in 406 minutes for someone who has the ball in their hands an awful lot.
But it's also worth remembering Bailey won't turn 19 until after draft day. While it is important to focus on what he struggles to do right now, he also is one of the better shot-makers I've ever evaluated at this age. Scouts still see the upside with Bailey if his development goes right over the next three years. I tend to be pretty averse to this type of player, and I still can't get him outside of my top four. Even if he does end up being just a shot-maker, he has a real chance to be very Michael Porter Jr.-like in his ability to hit catch-and-shoot 3s and create in a straight line. Part of why Porter has been so successful is that he's landed in a perfect spot next to Nikola Jokić, and a big part of why I have Bailey at No. 4 on my board is that no one has come and taken the slot from him. There's still much to be intrigued by with Bailey's ability to put the ball in the basket, and I've liked several flashes from him defensively this season as a switchable player with real size.
4. V.J. Edgecombe
The Raptors appear destined for a high draft pick and could be in the market for a combo guard such as Edgecombe, who can play on or off the ball alongside franchise stalwart Scottie Barnes. Although Edgecombe has been up and down for Baylor, teams remain intrigued: His explosiveness, improving feel, and impressive defensive playmaking (5.1% steal rate, 4.6% block rate) are key attributes that point to his upside.
He might need to perform better offensively to secure a spot this high in the draft -- his shooting has been subpar -- but front offices will work to understand the on-court context of his season, as he has been playing away from the ball quite a bit on a guard-driven team. If Edgecombe can turn a corner through the thick of conference play, he'll strengthen his draft case here. -- Woo
He might need to perform better offensively to secure a spot this high in the draft -- his shooting has been subpar -- but front offices will work to understand the on-court context of his season, as he has been playing away from the ball quite a bit on a guard-driven team. If Edgecombe can turn a corner through the thick of conference play, he'll strengthen his draft case here. -- Woo
4. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
The Lithuanian guard can be a lead ball handler, terrific shooter and everything in between. At 6-6, he possesses great length and versatility and has a pro background, having played for European power FC Barcelona. He posted a combined 34 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in wins at Oregon and Washington this past week. I love his feel for the game and think he's applying pressure to Bailey to be the third pick.