The Toronto Raptors front office is evaluating several collegiate prospects to address depth in both the backcourt and frontcourt with the No. 19 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, scheduled for June 23.
The team aims to bolster its roster around core young players Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Ja'Kobe Walter after a first-round playoff exit.
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Backcourt Targets
Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. averaged 22 points and five assists per game on 63.6% true shooting, offering the perimeter shot creation Toronto lacked alongside Brandon Ingram.
Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz presents a high-IQ alternative, averaging 19.8 points and 4.4 assists while registering a 72.7% true shooting percentage on catch-and-shoot opportunities, according to the No Ceilings NBA Draft Guide.
Frontcourt Options
If the front office prioritizes the frontcourt, international big man Hannes Steinbach offers an efficient interior presence.
Analysts Samson Folk and James Bu discussed his fit on the Rapcast podcast.
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"For a team lacking a strong, interior rebounding presence, Hannes would fit like a dream as a core future piece of the Raptors," Folk said.
The analysts noted that his physical profile would complement the existing roster if his draft stock falls to the mid-first round.
"Hannes' motor, rebounding, and pick-and-roll feel would complement Scottie Barnes nicely as both are high-IQ forwards who play with physicality and can operate as short-roll connectors," Folk added.
Secondary draft options reported by si.
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com include Stanford point guard Ebuka Okorie, Texas Tech's Christian Anderson, and Michigan center Aday Mara, depending on lottery selections.
