The Raptors’ choice to draft Allen Graves in the first round came with one major question: can his 3-point shot translate to the NBA? He shot 41.3% on 2.6 attempts per game at Santa Clara. But, as the Raptors experienced with Gradey Dick, good 3-point shooters in college cannot always bring the same skill to the next level.
So far, Graves’ 3-point shot has definitely translated to Summer League. He is 7-16 from long range over three games. With Collin Murray-Boyles sidelined at the moment, Graves is the most high-profile prospect to watch and develop during Summer League. He won’t get as many shots in the NBA or have the ball in his hands as much, but if he can knock down any shots he does get, it will open up tons of possibilities for the Raptors—including some wild defensive lineups.
With Kawhi Leonard (probably) coming back to Toronto, the Raptors can roll out a defensive death lineup of Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and Collin Murray-Boyles. If Graves is hitting 3-pointers and can be as disruptive defensively as he was in college and has been in Summer League, there’s an even wilder option out there, as The Athletic’s Eric Koreen outlined.
“If his shot is real, then the Raptors can start dreaming of some funky lineups,” Koreen wrote in a July 13 article. “Why not put him on the floor with Barnes, Murray-Boyles and Kawhi Leonard—pending, well, you know—and let them switch and hound the opponent?”
Although a bit small at the five, that lineup, no matter who the fifth player is, would be an absolute defensive nightmare to go up against. Offensively, it would be tricky spacing-wise unless Graves is hitting enough shots to make defenses respect him from behind the arc.
Allen Graves’ 3-point shot will be key with the Raptors
If you can defend, you have a good shot at getting minutes in Darko Rajakovic’s rotation. Graves should be able to do that. But it’s his 3-point shot that will make all the difference. Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Jakob Poeltl will be the three main players filling frontcourt minutes, barring another trade or a legitimate breakout from a Summer League big. That trio features little 3-point shooting.
It still remains to be seen if Graves can be a small-ball five in the NBA or if he will be a pure four, but if his 3-point shot carries over from Summer League to regular-season action, the Raptors can get creative with their lineups and frontcourt rotations.
With the injury concerns around Poeltl and Leonard, as well as a potential suspension for the latter, Graves will undoubtedly get a shot at key regular-season minutes. He may not play a huge role, but if he can come in, wreak havoc on defense, and hit some 3-pointers, that’s really all the Raptors could ask for from the 19th overall pick.
Add us as a preferred source on Google