8. Simulated trade: Toronto Raptors (via Indiana Pacers) – Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas
In this simulated NBA Mock Draft, the Toronto Raptors will trade OG Anunoby to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the No. 8 overall pick and two other future first-round picks. With the No. 8 pick, the Raptors will begin to reload in the backcourt (after losing Anunoby and the possibility that the team ultimately moves on from Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. With this initial pick, the Raptors will take a shot on Nick Smith Jr.
Because of injuries and other variables, Smith never looked quite right during his time in Arkansas. The hope is that he begins to look more and more like one of the best prospects in this year’s NBA Draft class. He was one of the most highly-touted prospects in this class coming out of High School but it just never seemed to click for him during his freshman season with the Razorbacks.
Maybe once he gets healthy he’ll be able to show off his true potential in the pre-draft process. All in all, he’s too good of a prospect to not take a chance on at some point in the top 10. And because of his inconsistent freshman season, he could be one of the bigger steals in the first round.