Raptors prospect watch: 7 realistic targets for Toronto's No. 9 pick

The Toronto Raptors are still feeling the sting of only landing the ninth pick in this year's draft after a rebuilding season was meant to deliver a higher selection. However, there will still be plenty of talent and upside on the board when the Raptors find themselves on the clock (assuming they don't trade back).

The consensus seems to be that the first five players selected will be Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, and Tre Johnson, with Kon Knueppel and Jeremiah Fears often projected somewhere in the top seven. With that, let's take a look at seven other lottery-caliber prospects who could be on the board when it's time for Toronto's selection.

Khaman Maluach, Duke, C

Maluach falling to nine may be wishful thinking, as the South Sudanese big man has future Defensive Player of the Year potential.

His measureables are off the charts. Maluach stands just under 7-foot-1 with a 9-foot-6 standing reach and a combine-topping wingspan of nearly 7-foot-7. His sheer size and impressive mobility will make him an immediate rim-deterrent in the Association, while his rim-running and catch radius, along with the vertical spacing he creates, should make him a contributing factor on the offensive end.

That's a pretty safe professional floor for a center who's still 18 years old. If Maluach eventually adds to his limited offensive tool kit, look out.

Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina, PF

Murray-Boyles is another high-floor big man, though an undersized one at under 6-foot-7. He has the length to make up for what he lacks in raw height and can play and defend multiple positions in the frontcourt.

Murray-Boyles brings a defensive tenacity NBA teams (and fans) will love, and he's a great interior finisher with some playmaking chops on the offensive end. Like many prospects, whether he expands his shooting range or not might ultimately determine his professional ceiling, but his paint touch should make him an efficient scorer regardless. Murray-Boyles shot roughly 62% inside the arc during his two-year collegiate career.

As for how he'd feel about joining Toronto's young core, Murray-Boyles said the Raptors are "everything I feel like I can fit into."

Derik Queen, Maryland, C

Queen is probably the most talented offensive player on this list but also the most polarizing.

At 6-foot-9 and roughly 248 pounds, Queen has great footwork and touch for a player his size, which explains how he averaged 16.5 points while shooting 55.8% inside the arc as a freshman. Even that might be underselling him, as Queen's efficiency at the rim was stellar. But he sometimes had to play further from it when sharing the frontcourt with Julian Reese.

Queen also has tremendous passing skills for a big man and could produce gaudy numbers in points, rebounds, and assists at the next level if given the right opportunity. However, whether that opportunity ever comes is a legitimate question. Queen's defensive motor, conditioning, and general decision-making are all under the microscope - even the tantalizing playmaking potential is muted by the fact that he recorded more turnovers than assists at Maryland.

Queen can be very productive immediately, but if he gives it all back on the defensive end, no NBA coach will want to play him heavy minutes.

Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois, G

Once projected as a top-five pick, Jakucionis' stock slipped over the course of his freshman season, but the Lithuanian can carve out a solid pro career.

As a big guard (6-foot-6) with good feel and comfort running pick-and-rolls, Jakucionis should be a good reserve, at the very least. There's certainly potential for much more if he improves his long-range shooting though. He shot 56% inside the arc and 85% from the free-throw line as a freshman, but his 3-point shot tailed off as the season progressed. Jakucionis shot just 23.7% from deep during the final 18 games of the season after opening his collegiate career at 41.6% over his first 15 games.

If the shooting stabilizes, Jakucionis could be a solid two-way guard - at either backcourt position - for a long time.

Noa Essengue, France, F

Essengue has been soaring up draft boards while helping lead German club Ratiopharm Ulm to the Bundesliga finals.

Even for future NBA stars, finding consistent minutes as a teenager in Europe can be difficult, making Essengue's contributions all the more impressive. The 18-year-old ranks fourth on the team in minutes, fourth in scoring (10.5 points), and second in rebounds (5.1) while shooting 50% from the field, according to RealGM.

His offensive game is a work in progress, but it's looking more fluid as Ulm's playoff run continues.

For now, Essengue can rely on his athleticism, explosiveness, and commitment to running the floor. Throw in the fact that the 6-foot-9 forward looks comfortable guarding multiple positions and covering a ton of defensive ground, and you'll understand the comparisons to Pascal Siakam.

Carter Bryant, F, Arizona

Bryant may never be the self-creator fans envision when they think of future stars, but he certainly has the tools to be an extremely valuable 3-and-D role player.

At 6-foot-6 with a nearly seven-foot wingspan, Bryant is a strong, lanky forward who offers great positional versatility on the defensive end - and All-Defense upside. He also shot 37% from deep in college with a smooth release that teases more, and he's an electrifying player in the open court.

Bryant has a great motor and should be a fan favorite wherever he lands, with the potential to grow beyond his 3-and-D reputation.

Egor Demin, BYU, G

Standing at 6-foot-8, Demin has a combination of size and elite playmaking that will tempt lottery teams, but among the players in question, I'm least enthused about his NBA future.

His vision and smarts can pick opposing defenses apart, but there are too many holes in his game. The Russian guard isn't the smoothest on the move. His handling and creation skills leave much to be desired and limit his ability to put pressure on the defense, making him pass-first to a fault. His lack of mobility also hurts him on the defensive end.

Taking everything into account, it feels like Jakucionis is the more complete guard on both ends.

Four more to keep an eye on: Asa Newell (Georgia, PF), Jase Richardson (Michigan State, G), Nolan Traore (France, PG), Thomas Sorber (Georgetown, C)

Joseph Casciaro is theScore's lead Raptors and NBA reporter.