The NBA draft is a huge moment for teams hoping to snag top-tier talent. But lately, the whole scene is shifting thanks to the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era in college sports.
Now that college athletes can earn real money while still in school, fewer are jumping to the draft early. This makes it tougher for NBA teams to find quality players outside those coveted top picks.
The Toronto Raptors, though, aren’t exactly panicking. They’re leaning on their knack for unearthing gems late in the draft, and honestly, who can blame them?
This blog takes a closer look at how the NIL era is shaking up the NBA draft. We’ll zero in on the Raptors’ strategy and what their outlook might be in this new landscape.
The NIL Era and Its Impact on the NBA Draft
For years, people joked that top college basketball prospects couldn’t afford the pay cut that came with turning pro. That old joke was rooted in whispers—sometimes truths—about college players getting paid under the table.
But with NIL rules kicking in back in 2021, that joke got a new twist. College athletes can now legally profit from their name, image, and likeness, and it’s led a lot of them to stick around school longer, especially if they’re not locked in as top draft picks.
Financial Incentives in College Basketball
The money side for college athletes has changed—big time. The 20th pick in the NBA draft might get a two-year contract worth up to $4 million in year one, while the 30th pick starts at $2.56 million.
Second-rounders? They’re often signing two-way deals that aren’t fully guaranteed, projected at about $580,000 for the next season. Meanwhile, some college players are reportedly pulling in between $2 million and $6 million from NIL deals. For a lot of them, staying in school just makes more sense financially.
Challenges for NBA Teams
With those financial incentives, NBA teams are finding it harder to land quality talent outside the draft lottery. Raptors assistant GM Dan Tolzman has pointed out that the days of reliably finding good players in the 20s range are fading.
Many players who would have jumped to the draft in years past are now sticking around college, shrinking the talent pool for teams picking later.
Toronto Raptors’ Strategy
Even with these hurdles, the Raptors have a reputation for finding value late in the draft. Take Ja’Kobe Walter, the 19th pick in the 2024 draft—he’s a good example.
Walter, an underclassman from Baylor, made the leap to the NBA even though he could’ve cashed in with NIL deals. He led the Raptors in three-point percentage and proved himself as a versatile defender. His playoff performance was pretty eye-opening, too—he looks like he could be a long-term fit for the team.
Historical Success in the Draft
The Raptors have been pulling off late-round magic for a while now. They’ve found talent in the later stages of the draft and even among undrafted free agents.
- Norman Powell (46th overall in 2015)
- Delon Wright (20th overall in 2015)
- Pascal Siakam (27th overall in 2016)
- OG Anunoby (23rd overall in 2017)
- Fred VanVleet (undrafted in 2016)
- Chris Boucher (undrafted in 2018)
Not many teams can say they’ve done more with less. The Raptors have pretty much become a model for draft efficiency.
2026 Draft Outlook
The 2026 NBA draft is shaping up to be deep and loaded at the top. There’s already a consensus around the top four picks: AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson.
But after the first 10 or 12 picks? Things get murky. Tolzman admits the Raptors aren’t sure who’ll be available at their 19th pick, but they’re ready to grab the best talent they see, not just fill a position.
Fewer Prospects Declaring for the Draft
The NIL era has also led to fewer underclassmen declaring for the draft. This year, only 71 underclassmen declared in April—the lowest number since 2003.
After some withdrew, the list dropped to just 31. So, this draft is mostly made up of players who’ve used up their college eligibility or international prospects. Interesting times, right?
Raptors’ Optimism
Even with all the chaos the NIL era has brought, the Raptors aren’t really fazed. Tolzman pointed out that the team’s done a ton of homework on possible picks.
They’ve built a reputation for digging up talent late in the draft. That knack gives them some real confidence moving forward.
If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty of the Raptors’ draft plans or how the NIL era is shaking things up, check out the full article on Sportsnet.
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