The Toronto Raptors have an intriguing mix of talent heading into next season. After missing the playoffs for three straight years, the addition of Brandon Ingram should make them far more competitive.
But even with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Ingram on the roster, this team still needs time to grow before making a big leap. In the meantime, adding more young players who fit the Raptors’ long-standing mold might be the smart play — and ChatGPT predicts they’ll use their first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on a 6-foot-7 sharpshooter.
Toronto Raptors Predicted To Select UConn Standout With No. 9 Pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Toronto clearly had a vision after winning its first NBA championship — loading up on big, athletic wings and building a switch-heavy team from top to bottom. But that identity hasn’t produced the results the front office hoped for.
Trading away OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam helped land Barrett and (eventually) Ingram, giving the Raptors a refreshed core. Now, to take the next step alongside those two and Barnes, ChatGPT projects Toronto to select UConn’s Liam McNeeley at No. 9 overall.
“Toronto, at No. 9, is expected to pick Liam McNeeley, a 6’7″ wing forward from Connecticut. McNeeley is known for his floor-stretching 3-point stroke and versatility, adding toughness, passing, shooting, and energy to any lineup.”
McNeeley will need time to develop — he shot just 38.1% from the field and 31.7% from deep as a freshman. Still, scouts view him as a long-term sniper. His 86.6% free-throw mark is often cited as a better indicator of his true shooting potential.
Liam McNeeley 3-point spot shooting drill at the NBA draft combine pic.twitter.com/v5Qe98VVtt
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress)
That’s likely what the Raptors are banking on, especially after finishing in the bottom 10 in both 3-point efficiency (23rd) and volume (third fewest attempts) last season. Ingram should help those numbers, but if McNeeley can stretch the floor at the NBA level, he would give Toronto another needed boost.
Still, McNeeley has limitations. He’s not an elite shot creator or finisher at the rim, and he’s not known for lockdown defense either. That’s part of why many analysts don’t view him as a lottery pick — and why No. 9 might be a bit of a reach.
PFSN Predicts Raptors To Take a Different Route at No. 9
In PFSN’s latest NBA mock draft, Brandon Austin projects Toronto to go in a different direction — selecting Maryland big man Derik Queen at No. 9.
“Derik Queen checks a lot of boxes for a Toronto Raptors team that needs to add more skilled and versatile talent to its frontcourt,” Austin wrote. “He’s one of the most polished big men in this class, blending strength and finesse with a uniquely high basketball IQ. While Queen isn’t the most explosive athlete, his game is built around touch, timing, and feel.
“Queen offers Toronto a rare blend of post scoring, passing, and toughness — skills that could complement their core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Gradey Dick while adding a new dynamic to their offense.”
MORE: 2025 NBA Mock Draft — Mavs Form New Big Three
In that same mock draft, McNeeley slipped to No. 20 overall, where the Miami Heat were projected to scoop him up.
“Liam McNeeley is a high-IQ, tough, team-first wing whose shooting stroke and feel for the game offer real long-term value for the Miami Heat,” Austin wrote. “While his freshman season at UConn came with some growing pains, the foundation of his NBA appeal — size, shotmaking, and competitiveness — remains firmly intact.
“McNeeley’s biggest strength is his perimeter shooting. Though he shot just 32% from 3 overall, that number doesn’t tell the full story. In standstill, catch-and-shoot situations, he hit an impressive 43.1%. In an NBA offense with better spacing, his shooting could shine through more consistently.”
