Just a couple of seasons ago the Toronto Raptors won the NBA title with Kawhi Leonard steering the ship. In 2021, the Raptors missed the playoffs and were awarded the fourth pick in the NBA draft. The ping-pong balls fell their way.

With USC star Evan Mobley likely to be a top-five pick at the very worst, there is an outside shot of the Raptors being blessed with his presence on their roster. It is no secret that Mobley’s fit with Toronto would be fantastic for both sides.

After the Raptors lost both Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka to Los Angeles–one to each Staples Center resident, the Clippers and Lakers–they lacked a true center for the entire year. The Andre Drummond rumors picked up some steam, and Chris Boucher outperformed expectations. Aron Baynes played a ton of minutes for Toronto at center.

Truth be told, the Raptors need a big man who can slide into the starting five. Enter Mobley would immediately send this team right back into playoff contention.

He can do everything–pass, shoot, defend, roll, set screens, and more. While the future of Kyle Lowry is up in the air, a three-man group of Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and Mobley would be extremely talented and versatile.

Adding in Lowry is icing on the cake, and the Raptors could very well go from lottery team to playoff team.

His movement without the basketball is superb. VanVleet, Lowry, and Siakam would absolutely be thrilled to have a mobile center who can stretch the floor and play defense.

After the tough year the Raptors had–playing their home games in Tampa–the pick of Mobley would be a moment of revival for this franchise. While unlikely, there is certainly a possibility the top three teams bypass the talented big man.

The Detroit Pistons have Isaiah Stewart, the Houston Rockets have Christian Wood, and the Cleveland Cavaliers could bring back Jarrett Allen, which could pave the way for Mobley to Toronto.