Collin Murray-Boyles didn’t need a flashy scoring résumé to matter in his rookie year with the Toronto Raptors. He showed up in the ways that stick: defense, physical play, rebounding, and the kind of toughness that earns minutes fast.
The scoring, though, was modest. He finished at 8.5 points per game and reached 20 points only twice - once in a 123-115 loss to the Sacramento Kings and once in Game 3 of the Raptors’ first-round series with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That number could start climbing this season.
Murray-Boyles has had an offseason to sharpen his offense and build more confidence as a 3-point shooter, but the bigger boost may come from the roster around him. Toronto’s trade for Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers could change the geometry of the floor for everyone, and Tim Legler pointed to Murray-Boyles as one of his breakout picks on the All-NBA podcast.
“He already can defend,” Legler said. “The guy’s built like a tank.
Physically, he can take on any challenge. I think now you’re going to see him improve offensively because of the opportunities that are gonna be created by Kawhi Leonard’s presence, the way there’s a gravitational shift to his side of the floor, how that can lend itself to some of the things he can do as a slasher, driver, offensive rebounder, stuff that he can get in transition.”
Legler also sees a more explosive scoring profile coming.
“There’s gonna be nights where he’s gonna put up really impressive stat lines. Last year was more about, you know, he’d get some double-doubles, but he was gonna be in that 10-, 12-, 14-point range. I think he’s gonna have more nights this year north of 20 points.”
That kind of jump would matter a lot for a Raptors team that still needs more offense, even after landing Leonard. If Murray-Boyles can become a semi-regular threat to score 20 or more, that would be a real lift for the group.
Toronto’s move for Leonard was also a statement about Scottie Barnes. The team would not have given up multiple draft picks for an aging star with a long injury history unless it believed Barnes is ready to be one of the top two players on a contender.
It was also a vote of confidence in the young bench. Leonard or not, the Raptors’ path to contention still runs through Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead, and Ja’Kobe Walter delivering real value in their second and third seasons. Shead’s passing, Walter’s shooting, and both players’ defense matter, but Murray-Boyles is the one who looks most likely to anchor that second unit.
That becomes even more important because center is the weakest starting spot on the roster. Murray-Boyles will have to cover for that weakness and will likely be asked to close games.
Preseason action already showed, for example, that Jakob Poeltl is not a strong matchup against the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns. If Murray-Boyles can’t help absorb those minutes, Toronto’s chances of making a deep playoff run take a hit.
Leonard should make life easier across the board, not just for Murray-Boyles. Scottie Barnes should see better looks with Leonard soaking up defensive attention.
Teams will have to send their best defender at Leonard, which should open cleaner paths for Barnes and RJ Barrett. Immanuel Quickley, meanwhile, should find more off-ball chances and more open catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.
That’s the pull Leonard brings. He bends defenses, and he also keeps the ball moving with quick, smart decisions. For a Raptors team looking for offense wherever it can find it, that kind of effect could be felt all over the floor.
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The bet now is whether Shead can grow beyond what he already is and become a more dependable scoring threat. His defensive rsum is already decorated, with consecutive AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, but the Raptors long-term return will likely hinge on how much he can add as a shooter and creator. [Read more 🡒]