As Trade Rumors Swirl, Raptors Must Keep Collin Murray-Boyles Off the Table
With the trade deadline looming, the rumor mill around the Toronto Raptors is heating up - and the names being floated are nothing short of blockbuster. Think Anthony Davis.
Domantas Sabonis. And yes, even Giannis Antetokounmpo.
These are the kinds of names that make fans sit up, refresh their feeds, and dream big. But with that kind of star power comes a steep price, and the Raptors will have to weigh their assets carefully if they want to make a serious push without mortgaging their future.
Toronto’s front office has pulled off some big-time moves in the past without completely emptying the cupboard - the Kawhi Leonard deal being the gold standard. Even last year’s acquisition of Brandon Ingram was a savvy play that didn’t completely drain the team’s resources.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Trades for Thaddeus Young and Jakob Poeltl cost the team valuable first-round picks, and those kinds of decisions can come back to haunt a franchise trying to build something sustainable.
That’s what makes the Raptors’ current position so intriguing. They’re one of the few teams in the league that still holds full control over their future draft picks - a major advantage when trying to outbid other teams in a tight market. Add in a collection of mid-sized contracts that can help match salaries and a few intriguing young prospects, and Toronto has the flexibility to make a splash.
But let’s be clear: one name shouldn’t even be part of the conversation.
Collin Murray-Boyles is untouchable. Period.
The rookie forward - Toronto’s recent lottery pick and a newly minted NBA Rising Stars selection - has already shown the kind of grit, intelligence, and defensive tenacity that Raptors fans have come to love. He’s not just holding his own against NBA veterans; he’s making an impact. And at just 20 years old, he’s doing it with a motor that doesn’t stop and a basketball IQ well beyond his years.
If you’re wondering whether other teams are calling about him, you can bet they are. But Toronto needs to shut those conversations down before they even start.
Murray-Boyles returned to the lineup in the Raptors’ recent loss to the Knicks after missing Week 14, and while the final score didn’t go Toronto’s way, his presence was felt in a big way. He set a new career-high with four blocks, grabbed five boards, and dished out four assists - all while doing the little things that don’t always show up in the box score.
Rotating on defense. Crashing the glass.
Making the extra pass. He’s the kind of player who helps you win, even when the shots aren’t falling.
And sure, comparisons to Draymond Green might feel lofty right now, but the similarities are hard to ignore. Like Draymond, Murray-Boyles thrives in chaos.
He reads the game instinctively, switches across multiple positions, and brings a physical edge that’s rare for a rookie. He’s not just a role player - he’s a culture-setter.
The kind of guy who can anchor a defense and elevate the players around him.
So yes, the idea of landing a superstar like Giannis is tantalizing. Any team would love to bring in a player of that caliber.
But the Raptors have to be smart about what they’re building. Murray-Boyles isn’t just part of the plan - he is the plan.
He’s the kind of foundational piece that teams spend years searching for, and Toronto already has him in-house.
If the Raptors can find a way to swing big at the deadline without giving up Collin Murray-Boyles, they absolutely should. But if keeping him means passing on a headline-grabbing deal, so be it. Because five years from now, when he’s anchoring one of the league’s best defenses and leading deep playoff runs, the Raptors will be glad they held firm.
This is a franchise that’s been here before. They know what it takes to win - and they know how costly it can be to give up the wrong piece.
Collin Murray-Boyles is not the piece to move. He’s the one to build around.