The Raptors’ need in the middle is hard to miss. Jakob Poeltl is the clear anchor, but beyond him Toronto is thin enough that the backup center spot has become a real question, especially if the team wants to protect Collin Murray-Boyles’ health. Summer league has at least given the Raptors two names to watch: Nate Bittle and Jamarion Sharp.
Right now, Sharp looks like the better swing.
Through two games, the two bigs have been almost even on the box score, each averaging 8.5 points and 7.0 rebounds. But that’s where the similarities end. They bring very different skill sets, and Toronto’s decision behind Poeltl should come down to which one fits the need more cleanly.
Bittle is the steadier, more familiar type of center. He plays a lot like Poeltl: slow-footed, effective in pick-and-roll, soft around the rim, strong on the boards, and capable as a connective passer.
There’s also a real shooting track record to point to. In five seasons at Oregon, he hit 32.8 percent from three on 2.6 attempts per game, and that number has jumped early in summer league, where he’s at 37.5 percent on 4.0 attempts per game.
But that added range has come with a downside. Instead of using it as a threat, he’s leaned on it too much and has settled for perimeter looks.
For a big man with his size and touch, the roll game should be a weapon. Instead, he’s been popping more than rolling.
That matters for Toronto because Poeltl already gives them the slower, methodical look at center. If the Raptors want a change of pace, Sharp is the more obvious answer.
At 7-foot-5, Sharp is the kind of presence that changes the geometry of the floor. He’s a massive shot-blocker, a strong finisher, and the reigning G League Defensive Player of the Year. His summer league line has matched Bittle’s scoring and rebounding, but he’s adding 3.0 blocks and 1.5 steals while shooting 83.3 percent from the field.
The game against the Rockets made the case even louder. Sharp finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks while going 5-for-5 from the floor.
He also got to the line eight times, because Houston had no answer once he established position deep in the paint. Under standard NBA rules, he would have taken 12 free throws if those late fouls in the fourth quarter had been counted that way instead of under summer league rules.
For a team with Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard drawing so much defensive attention, a 7-foot-5 finisher waiting on the block would add another layer to the offense. Defensively, a lineup with Jamal Shead, Barnes, Kawhi, CMB, and Sharp would be a nightmare to deal with.
Bittle may be the safer choice. Sharp is the one with the bigger ceiling, and Toronto should be paying attention to that.
In Other News...
Clippers Fans Suddenly Have A Real Reason To Worry About Kawhi
Kawhi Leonards potential return to Toronto has quickly become one of the most intriguing twists of the offseason, with the Raptors agreeing to bring back the former Finals MVP in a deal that would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft compensation to the Clippers. It is the kind of move that instantly changes the conversation around a franchise, especially for a fan base that already knows exactly what Leonard can mean when the stakes rise.
For now, though, the reunion is sitting in limbo while the NBA reviews Leonards salary cap situation. Even with the uncertainty hanging over the transaction, there is still a sense around the deal that both sides expect it to eventually get across the finish line, which is why Torontos interest in Leonard has not cooled despite the delay. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors May Need Summer League To Solve A Problem Fast
If the Kawhi Leonard trade is completed and he signs the expected extension, the Raptors will be staring at a much tighter financial picture than they are used to. That kind of squeeze makes the margins around the roster even smaller, which is why Summer League suddenly matters a lot more than usual. Toronto is trying to build around a projected starting group of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl, but the bigger question is how the rest of the team gets filled in without much room to spend.
The concern goes beyond just finding bodies. The Raptors already look thin in the middle, and the injury risk attached to several key pieces only raises the stakes for getting the back end of the roster right. So while Summer League often serves as a development stop, it may also be one of the few real chances Toronto has to identify affordable young players who can handle actual minutes when the season starts. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Could Lose Another Homegrown Gem For A Brutal Reason
Jamal Shead has already shown why he matters to Toronto, carving out a real role during the 2025-26 season and then taking on even more responsibility in the playoffs. When Immanuel Quickley was injured, Shead started four postseason games, logged heavy minutes and made his presence felt on both ends, the kind of homegrown development the Raptors have long valued.
The problem is that the business side may not line up with the basketball side. Michael Granger noted that Torontos payroll is becoming increasingly top-heavy, and if Kawhi Leonard signs a two-year extension, the Raptors could find themselves with limited flexibility when Shead reaches restricted free agency after the 2026-27 season. Toronto would have the right to match outside offers, but whether it can actually afford to do so is the part that could turn a promising internal success story into a difficult roster decision. [Read more 🡒]