The Toronto Raptors have looked to fill the backup point guard role for years. They will hope that the 2024-25 season is the year where they can finally do that.
After being acquired from the New York Knicks, Immanuel Quickley has had the starting job locked down. The depth chart behind him is not that simple.
While there should be a vision for how that role will be filled this season, there should also be room for opportunity. That is where Raptors rookie Jamal Shead comes into the mix. After a trade with the Sacramento Kings, he wound up with the Raptors following draft night.
The expectations for Shead should be relatively modest heading into the 2024-25 season. However, there should be a handful of reasons to believe that by season's end, he will be firmly involved in the Raptors' rotation.
No. 3: Shead's Pro-Ready Skills
The good thing about drafting older prospects in the NBA Draft is that, typically, they will be more polished and ready for the NBA upon arrival. That should be the case for Shead, to an extent.
The former Houston Cougars guard displayed some incredible defensive tenacity during his four years with the team. His senior year was the finest showcase of that ability. Shead averaged 2.2 steals per game to go with 3.2 defensive win shares and a defensive box plus/minus of 6.4. He was named the 2023-24 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in the process.
A fun fact that will not shock you: Jamal Shead leads the Raptors with 9 deflections through 3 preseason games.
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) October 15, 2024
His defensive ability should earn him opportunities to stay on the floor for the Raptors. However, if his offense looks anything similar to some of his preseason success, there should be no doubt he will carve out a role for himself.
Shead looked strong in his first preseason game against the Washington Wizards. He scored 10 points to go with 4 assists in the win. Shead was also a bright spot in a loss against the Boston Celtics during the team's third preseason contest. His 14 points and 5 assists displayed a steady and reliable presence at the point guard spot.