2024 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Spurs find point guard, Raptors keep lottery selection

6. Toronto Raptors take Stephon Castle

*This pick is top-six protected. If the Raptors fall back in the lottery, it will head to San Antonio from the Jakob Poeltl trade.

Castle was a massive reason why UConn won their second straight national championship. The freshman was a seamless fit as a 6’6 guard defending multiple positions, handling the ball, and just making plays. There are questions, but the Raptors would love to put the teenager on their roster.

Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.8 steals in 27.0 minutes per game during his lone college season. He shot 47.2 percent from the field and 75.5 percent on his free throws. There was plenty to be excited about, and his impact on winning is easy to overlook.

Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, and Castle become an interesting starting five. Castle can cover for Quickley at the point of attack or guard the opposition’s top-scoring wing. The 19-year-old can operate as a secondary creator and has some untapped playmaking potential.

There are questions about his jumper after Castle shot 26.7 percent from 3-point range and made just 0.6 threes per game for the NCAA champions. The Raptors may not care. They are always in on drafting versatility and upside. If Castle develops his playmaking and jumper, he could be a two-way force and one of the best prospects in this class. He feels like a strong fit in Toronto, even if it trends their roster a bit small.