Draft has been one of the more anticipated drafts in a while, thanks in part to the immense talent at th..."/> Draft has been one of the more anticipated drafts in a while, thanks in part to the immense talent at th..."/>
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NBA Draft 2021: 3 biggest winners and losers from draft lottery results

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 5, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Draft Pascal Siakam Toronto Raptors (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NBA Draft Pascal Siakam Toronto Raptors (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Winner No. 3 – Toronto Raptors

The Raptors’ five-year streak with at least 50 wins came to a screeching halt this year, going 27-45. In complete fairness to the franchise, they didn’t get to play at home due to the state of Canada refusing to host them due to the covid-19 pandemic. Playing all games on the road clearly had its toll but the good news is that Toronto can easily bounce back, thanks now to having the No. 4 overall pick.

The two cornerstones of the franchise are forward and all-star Pascal Siakam, along with point guard Fred VanVleet, coming offseason of averaging 19.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Long-time Raptors star Kyle Lowry may not be around too much longer as the franchise moves in a different direction, leaving a need for another scoring guard or big man to pair with Siakam down low.

What’s great about being in the top-4 is that there won’t be an option that doesn’t work for the Raptors. Assuming Detroit takes Cade Cunningham, that leaves guards Jalen Suggs and Jalen Green, along with forward Evan Mobley.

VanVleet is a point guard that can easily share a backcourt with another ball-handler such as Suggs. Or, they can go for the next guard with the highest scoring potential in Green at the shooting guard spot. But it’s hard to pass up a 7’0 big man as skilled as Mobley, coming off a season where he averaged 16.4 ppg and 8.7 rpg for a USC team that didn’t have much perimeter talent.

Imagine what Mobley can do alongside Siakam in the frontcourt, which would be the best in the Eastern Conference in no time. And with VanVleet, sharpshooter Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby at the wing, the size, and skills of this lineup would get the franchise back into contention in no time.

But again, the Raptors can’t do wrong with any of their options at No. 4.

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