The Toronto Raptors are set to hit Las Vegas this week for Summer League, and Friday’s opener against the Boston Celtics at 9 p.m. ET gives them an early stage to sort through a few key storylines.
One of the biggest names on the roster is Murray-Boyles, though there’s real uncertainty about how much he’ll actually be on the floor. The second-year trend has become a familiar one around Summer League, with players returning to Vegas even after their rookie seasons. Murray-Boyles fits that mold, but his presence feels more like a formality than a necessity.
He doesn’t really need this run. The No. 9 overall pick was solid in his first NBA season and turned in an impressive playoff performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
If he does play, even for just a game or two, he should stand out quickly. The gap between him and most of the players in Vegas is obvious, and the jump from rookie to sophomore year is where that difference tends to show up.
Toronto’s other major roster question comes in the frontcourt, where Sandro Mamukelashvili’s departure to the Los Angeles Lakers left a hole in the second unit. That loss has opened the door for No. 19 overall pick Allen Graves, who could be part of the answer.
Graves, a rookie from Santa Clara, is the same height as Mamukelashvili, but he spent much of his college time operating as a forward. With Mamukelashvili gone, though, there’s a path for Graves to be used as a small-ball centre.
"Graves is a defense-first forward who is top-tier at his position in generating both steals and blocks, especially for a freshman. With his long and sturdy frame and high activity level, he profiles as a multi-positional defender," RotoWire wrote.
"On offense, the 41% stroke from beyond the arc will likely position him as a floor-spacing four at the NBA level. Also, Graves was efficient inside the arc on putbacks and cuts, which gives him some optionality as a small-ball five for certain NBA teams.
Crashing the offensive boards is a critical part of his upside as a role player. He also rarely turned the ball over at Santa Clara."
Toronto will want to get him minutes at the five, because that’s a role he could be asked to fill during his rookie season.
Another player worth watching is Martin, who was rewarded with a standard contract after spending his rookie year on one of the team’s two-way deals. The No. 39 overall pick from Florida in the 2025 NBA Draft appeared in 23 games last season, which makes him one of the more seasoned players the Raptors are bringing to Summer League.
This is a chance for Martin to show the organization he’s ready for more. His performance in Vegas will help shape the rest of his offseason, and while he isn’t projected to have a major role next season, what he does here could affect how much runway Toronto gives him once the games start to count.
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