Collin Murray-Boyles has every reason to be excited about what the Raptors just put around him.
The Toronto forward is coming off a rookie season that showed why the team used the No. 9 overall pick on him in the 2025 NBA Draft, even if the raw scoring numbers don’t jump off the page. Murray-Boyles averaged 8.5 points as a rookie, but his impact went well beyond that.
“Box-score trackers will wonder whether this is too high for Collin Murray-Boyles, who averaged an inauspicious 8.5 points as a rookie. One word of advice for them: Just flip on a game and watch all of the different ways in which the 21-year-old impacts it,” Bleacher Report contributor Zach Buckley wrote.
“His defense is tremendous, his motor is fully revved at all times and his awareness helps him fill cracks on the offensive end. Defense is clearly his calling card, but he is no slouch on the game's glamorous end. He is the rare rookie who actually perked up his production in the playoffs, averaging 14.4 points on 65.6 percent shooting over seven postseason outings.”
That kind of profile is exactly why Murray-Boyles fits what Toronto is building. There are already shades in his game that line up with Leonard’s, and if the trade goes through as intended, he’ll get the chance to learn from one of this generation’s best defenders.
The fit could get even more interesting if Leonard and Murray-Boyles are on the floor together often. Add Scottie Barnes to the mix, and Toronto could have a trio where at least two of those three are out there at all times.
That’s where the real damage starts. A defensive group built around Murray-Boyles, Leonard and Barnes would make life miserable for opponents, and it should only accelerate CMB’s growth. Their games complement each other, which is why the Raptors have to be viewed as a threat in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto’s stance in the Leonard trade talks says plenty, too. The Clippers wanted Murray-Boyles included, but the Raptors refused to part with him. That’s a strong signal that the franchise sees him as a long-term piece.
Now he’s in position to be a key player on a team that’s aiming for deep postseason runs over the next several years. For a young player, that’s about as good as it gets. It also sets him up for his first major contract ahead of the 2029-30 season, and it could be a deal the Raptors themselves end up handing him.
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 🡒]