Allen Graves didn’t just arrive at his media session like a rookie trying to make a good impression. He made sure to greet every reporter with a handshake on the way in, then did it again on the way out, thanking them for their time.
That kind of formality fits the 20-year-old forward’s approach to everything around the Raptors. Graves, Toronto’s 19th overall pick out of Santa Clara University this past summer, said he’s prepared for whatever role the team gives him.
“Whatever the plan is for me, I’m ready and willing,” the rookie said. “Just hopefully whatever it may be, I’m just going to take every opportunity I get and just run with it.”
Graves is entering a Raptors depth chart that doesn’t leave much room for a newcomer. Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl are expected to start Wednesday in Toronto’s home opener against the Chicago Bulls, and the first wave off the bench includes Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter.
Still, Graves isn’t pushing for guarantees. If the season sends him to Raptors 905 in the G-League, he says he’ll take that in stride.
“Whatever they see as the best plan for me this year (is fine). Redshirt years have always benefited me, at Santa Clara, I took a redshirt year,” Graves said courtside at OVO Athletic Centre, Toronto’s training facility.
“Obviously, I want to be out there on the court with those guys. I want to be playing with Scottie and playing with those guys.
“But if they say the best fit is 905 or whatever it may be, and come bring me in later, then that’s what it is.”
Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said Graves has already shown the kind of habits teams want from a young player. The coach pointed to the rookie’s willingness to absorb everything around him, from teammate interactions to travel routines.
“He’s been talking to his teammates a lot, trying to pick up on everything, every time,” said Rajakovic. “When we went to the game on the road he was the first on the bus.
“All the small things that you teach a young player on how to be a professional, he’s doing and he’s doing a great job so far.”
Graves has also gotten a taste of NBA action in the preseason. In Friday’s 129-125 loss to the Detroit Pistons, he played 23 minutes as Toronto’s centre, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds. The Raptors sat their top eight players, while Detroit used some of its key names, including Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Duncan Robinson.
For Graves, that matchup mattered as much for the education as the box score.
“Just the experience of being out there, especially being able to play against those guys,” Graves said. “They played their starting core for the majority of the game, really the whole game, so being able to play against that competition, get used to it, get adjusted, was helpful.
“Still, obviously an adjustment period, just learning defensively, offensively, just trying to figure out where I fit in my role and just continuing to attack.”
The shot wasn’t falling for him that night - Graves went 4-for-13 from the field and missed all five of his 3-point attempts - but he said the response from the organization has been steady and encouraging.
“My shot wasn’t falling, but they (tell me to) keep shooting. ‘We know you can shoot.
We see you do it every day. We see you work so hard on it, so just keep shooting,’” said Graves.
“I feel like leaning on my teammates has been big, and my support system with my family and everybody has been amazing.”
Rajakovic said that patience is part of the deal, for Graves and for everyone watching him.
“When players come, the first thing that they need to adjust is the speed of the game,” he said. “For them at the beginning, the game is happening at such a high speed, and they need to slow down in order to understand what’s going on around them.
“I think the most important thing is for players, for media, for everybody to understand that it’s a process. It’s not something that we’re going to throw him out there and he’s going to have all the answers. It’s going to take time.”
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DeAaron Fox has naturally become part of that discussion, and Toronto has surfaced in speculation as a possible trade destination if San Antonio decides to reshuffle its backcourt. The rumored framework would send RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley the other way, but nothing has been finalized, which leaves the Raptors potential role in any Fox move very much in the realm of what-ifs for now. [Read more 🡒]