2026 NBA Draft: Three players the Toronto Raptors could take at No. 19

Fresh off their first playoff run in the Darko Rajakovic era, the Toronto Raptors will be hungry for more as they enter Wednesday’s NBA draft.

Viewed primiarily as a developmental coach, younger players like Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter all took big steps under Rajakovic’s guidance last season.

And of course, no Raptors player has developed more into a star than Scottie Barnes, who was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team for the first time in his career this past season.

It’s that type of track record that gives Toronto management the belief in Rajakovic’s ability to get the best out of whoever they take with the 19th overall pick in this year’s draft.

So, who will the Raptors take at No. 19? Let’s get into it.

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Jayden Quaintance

Kentucky Wildcats forward Jayden Quaintance is projected to go anywhere from the mid-teens to the mid-20s, so he’ll be an attractive option if he’s still around for Toronto to get.

Quaintance suffered a torn Achilles and meniscus last season, which is the only reason teams may let him slide. However, Toronto has proven patient when rehabbing young players, so I would guess they will gladly take him if he’s available at No. 19.

Quaintance’s biggest asset is his defence and his six-foot-nine, 253-pound frame should help him acclimate to the NBA very quickly.

The drawback is Quaintance’s questionable offence and he struggles from the free-throw line, but those are solvable.

With where Toronto is right now, I would guess they prefer a stronger defensive player who they can help improve offensively, so Quaintance seems like a low-risk, high-reward pick.

Chris Cenac Jr.

Houston Cougars big man Chris Cenac Jr. is projected to go around pick No. 20, so this falls right in line with the Raptors.

At 6-foot-11, Cenac is a perfect fit in Toronto’s lineup. He’s a dangerous interior threat and a solid mid-range shooter, something the Raptors currently need.

This year’s draft is light on big men and Cenac projects to be among the best available, so he’ll be tough to pass up.

Christian Anderson

If Toronto elects to go with a player who can contribute right away, Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson is viewed by a lot of experts as the best pure shooter in the draft.

The Raptors were one of the worst three-point shooting teams last season, while Anderson shot an elite 41.5 per cent on 7.9 attempts from beyond the arc.

Anderson will be a defensive liability to begin his career, but Rajakovic is the type of coach who can work with that. This is the type of player who has the kind of upside that is hard to ignore.