The Raptors didn’t have to wait long for the rest of the NBA to catch up to what they saw in Allen Graves.
Toronto took the 6-foot-9 forward out of Santa Clara University with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, banking on a versatile two-way player who could fit just about anywhere on the floor. Now, just a little while into his pro career, Graves is already getting his name thrown around in league circles.
That showed up in the NBA’s annual general manager survey, where executives weigh in on the best players, teams, coaches and offseason moves heading into the 2026-27 season. When GMs were asked which rookie represented the biggest steal relative to draft position, Graves finished second in the voting.
The 20-year-old from Ponchatoula, La., received 10 per cent of the vote. In a league with 30 teams, that means three general managers picked the Raptors rookie as the draft’s biggest bargain. Only Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brayden Burries, the No. 10 pick, drew more support, finishing with nine votes.
It’s not hard to see why Graves is already earning that kind of buzz. He flashed plenty during NBA Summer League in July, putting up 16.8 points per game on 51 per cent shooting while also averaging 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals over four games. That’s the kind of production that makes scouts lean in, especially for a player who can impact the game without needing the ball constantly in his hands.
Some evaluators have compared Graves to former NBA forward Boris Diaw, pointing to the same kind of all-around versatility and low-maintenance style. He can do a little bit of everything, and that makes him valuable fast.
Raptors fans got their first in-arena look at him Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena, where Toronto demolished the New York Knicks 148-98. Graves came off the bench for 15 minutes and finished with five points on 1-for-7 shooting, three rebounds and four fouls.
Even in a stat line that was pretty uneven, head coach Darko Rajakovic found plenty to like. He praised the rookie’s work and even framed the fouls as a positive.
"He was great. I thought that he had a great game, and it was great how he was aggressive on defence," Rajakovic said. "I even loved all the fouls that he picked up."
Graves is expected to see his role grow as the season goes on. For now, though, like most rookies, he’ll likely get time with Toronto’s G League team once the season begins in early November.
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Allen Graves Had A Very Toronto Moment Before His NBA Debut
Allen Graves first night in the league came with a little bit of everything that tends to make a Toronto basketball moment feel bigger than the box score. The Raptors rookie stepped onto the floor Oct. 21 against the Bulls and handled his NBA debut with five points, five rebounds and three blocks in 19 minutes, but what stood out afterward was the setting itself: a sold-out crowd, the national anthem echoing through the arena and, of course, Drake courtside.
Graves said the atmosphere made the night feel significant in a way that went beyond just getting through his first game. Afterward, he also had a more personal kind of reception waiting for him, with family and friends around to celebrate the milestone. For a young player trying to settle into the league, it was the sort of debut that can make Toronto feel less like a stop and more like a stage. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Draft Miss Just Raised A Bigger Question For Toronto
The Raptors 2023 lottery swing on Gradey Dick is still reverberating around the front office, not just because the pick did not develop the way Toronto hoped, but because it exposed a bigger debate about what the team should prioritize in the draft. Dick arrived with a reputation built on elite college shooting, yet that skill did not translate cleanly to the NBA, and his run in Toronto ended with a trade to the LA Clippers.
Now the conversation has shifted to whether the Raptors should keep betting on one-dimensional shooting specialists at the top of the board. Their 2026 pick, Allen Graves, is viewed as a more versatile prospect, and that profile may fit what Toronto needs better than another player whose appeal rests mostly on one carrying tool. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Face An Early Road Test Their Defense Can't Fake
The Raptors are heading into their first road game of the season, and the early trip to Washington offers a good first read on how real their defense is on the road. The Wizards have reshaped their rotation with veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young helping steady a younger core, so Toronto wont be walking into a soft landing spot even if the matchup still looks winnable on paper.
Washington is also dealing with a notable absence, with key player AJ ruled out for the game, which adds another wrinkle to how the Raptors may choose to attack. Its the kind of early-season test that can reveal whether Torontos defensive work travels or whether the noise of the road starts to expose some of the same old vulnerabilities, and the matchup still tilts toward the Raptors if they handle it cleanly. [Read more 🡒]