Collin Murray-Boyles may have already turned in a rookie year that left Toronto Raptors fans feeling good about what comes next. Now, after an offseason push to trim down and sharpen his conditioning, the idea of a real leap in year two is starting to feel a lot more serious.
At Raptors media day, Darko Rajakovic explained that the staff challenged Murray-Boyles to get in better shape before this season. The response, according to the coach, went well beyond the ask.
“He put in outstanding work. You know, not a lot of people know, but we talked to him that he needs to get in even better, you know, shape.
And on his own, apart from every workout and everything, he was going outside and running 30 minutes every single day. So he he put tremendous amount of work this summer and I think he's ready to make next step in his career offensively and defensively,” said Rajakovic.
Murray-Boyles says he can already feel the difference. Speaking to TSN’s Josh Lewenberg at training camp, he described a body that feels lighter and more responsive.
“I definitely feel it. I can feel the explosiveness more now. Just feel more bouncy, more energetic,” Murray-Boyles told TSN’s Josh Lewenberg at training camp.
That matters because the appeal of Murray-Boyles has always been tied to how much ground he can cover defensively. His value comes from protecting the basket, working the glass, switching onto the perimeter, creating turnovers and doing it all with relentless energy.
If the added conditioning translates the way Toronto seems to believe it will, that toolkit gets even more dangerous. A quicker first step means more chances to jump passing lanes, more lift at the rim and better answers when he’s pulled onto faster guards.
There’s also the offensive angle, which is where the upside starts to get especially interesting. Murray-Boyles already showed a strong handle for a frontcourt player, a high basketball IQ and real playmaking ability.
With more burst in transition and more speed when attacking closeouts, he could become a much tougher cover. The same improved foot speed should help him punish opposing bigs on the perimeter, too.
Rajakovic’s comments also matter because Toronto’s roster context has changed. Murray-Boyles won’t be asked to carry the same defensive load he had last season after the Raptors added another elite two-way talent in Kawhi Leonard. That opens the door for his improved fitness to show up on the offensive end more often.
Even last season, Murray-Boyles never looked like a player who was running on fumes. He was a bigger body, sure, but his motor stayed high and his rebounding presence never wavered. Still, if both he and the staff are right about this next step, Toronto may have a second-year player ready to make a serious jump - maybe even the kind that puts him in the conversation for becoming the second Most Improved Player in team history.
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