The clock is officially ticking for the Toronto Raptors front office. With the 2026 NBA Draft less than a week away, newly extended Executive Vice President and General Manager Bobby Webster faces a pivotal turning point to capitalize on the team’s encouraging 46-win season and recent playoff appearance.
Currently holding the No. 19 and No. 50 overall picks, Toronto has a prime opportunity to inject precise, game-changing talent into a young core built around Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Brandon Ingram.
To transform into a legitimate Eastern Conference threat next season, Webster must aggressively use this draft to attack two glaring structural weaknesses: an anemic three-point offense and a severe lack of frontcourt size behind an aging Jakob Poeltl.
No. 19 Pick: Iowa SG Bennett Stirtz (The Perimeter Solution)
If the board falls favorably on draft night, the Raptors must run the card to the podium for Iowa senior shooting guard Bennett Stirtz.
It is no secret that Toronto desperately needs elite floor-spacing. The Raptors shot a dismal 35.4% from beyond the arc this past season, ranking 21st in the NBA. Stirtz is a uniquely rapid riser whose stellar multi-school collegiate trajectory proves his high-IQ adaptability:
- The Journey: Dominated Division II at Northwest Missouri State before stepping up to Drake University, where he averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, and shot nearly 40% from deep.
- The Peak: Transferred to Iowa for his senior year, powering the Hawkeyes to the Elite Eight while averaging 19.8 points per game.
🔄 The Gradey Dick Replacement?
Drafting Stirtz provides head coach Darko Rajakovic with a premier secondary playmaker who can easily connect the floor. He can get a shot on his own but excels at keeping his teammates involved alongside Barnes, Ingram, and Barrett at the wing spot.
Intriguingly, Stirtz’s arrival could signal a major roster shift regarding Gradey Dick. After two strong developmental seasons, Dick took a noticeable step backward this year and is heavily rumored to be on the trade block this offseason. Stirtz represents a seamless, plug-and-play replacement for that critical perimeter production.
No. 50 Pick: Virginia C Ugonna Onyenso (The Developmental Anchor)
If the first round is entirely focused on addressing perimeter shooting, the second round must be a calculated bet on physical size. Assistant GM Dan Tolzman recently emphasized that adding a rim-protecting big is a primary offseason priority, making Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso an ideal target.
With stretch-big Sandro Mamukelashvili heavily expected to depart in free agency, Toronto’s backup frontcourt depth is virtually non-existent. Starting center Jakob Poeltl has officially entered his 30s and saw his production dip from 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds down to 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds this past season, with his minutes dwindling down the stretch in the playoffs.
While Onyenso isn’t a polished offensive weapon—averaging just 4.3 points per game across his collegiate career at Kentucky, Kansas State, and Virginia—his 6’11” frame and elite defensive instincts earned him ACC All-Defensive Team honors.
Landing Onyenso at No. 50 is a low-risk, high-reward move. The Raptors can immediately put him on a two-way contract with the Raptors 905 in the G League, allowing the player-development staff to mold him into a reliable, shot-blocking backup anchor behind Poeltl.
The Backup Options & Pre-Draft Rumors
Insiders have confirmed that Toronto is casting a wide net, already bringing in a diverse group of prospects for private workouts at the OVO Athletic Centre.
If Stirtz is snatched off the board before pick No. 19, the Raptors are highly intrigued by rising Michigan center Aday Mara to address their size immediately. Webster’s staff has also hosted blue-chip pre-draft visits for Meleek Thomas, Zuby Ejiofor, Keyshawn Hall, and Bruce Thornton.
Whether Webster keeps both selections to inject youth or packages them in a blockbuster draft-day trade, the next week will completely dictate the ceiling of Toronto’s upcoming campaign.
