After he missed the Toronto Raptors’ first two preseason games, rookie Allen Graves finally made his debut. He played 15 minutes and finished the game with 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal. He also ran into some foul trouble, committing four personal fouls.
The numbers may not jump off the page, but Graves was willing to let it fly from behind the arc, which is something the Raptors could definitely need in the frontcourt rotation once he starts making the shots. Moreover, head coach Darko Rajakovic was happy with the rookie’s defensive effort.
“I thought that he had a great game, and it was great that he was aggressive on defense,” Rajakovic said in the postgame media availability. “And I actually loved all the fouls that he picked up tonight.”
Graves established himself as a disruptive defender and analytics darling in college. Considering how much the Raptors lean on their defensive tenacity and versatility, that was probably one of the main reasons they drafted him.
However, there were some concerns about his not-so-great speed and athleticism against NBA-level players. While he did look a bit slow trying to stay in front of Knicks reserves on drives at times, it’s important to remember that it was just his first game. Getting used to the NBA’s speed is an adjustment that doesn’t always happen in a single game. Plus, all that really matters is that his coach liked what he saw.
Graves may not be an immediate difference-maker
His 3-point shot is a fascinating asset, especially since the Raptors lost Sandro Mamukelashvili in free agency. Collin Murray-Boyles went 2-for-2 from deep against the Knicks, but the Raptors will need all the 3-point shooting they can get. Other than that, Graves’s biggest asset will be his defense if he can live up to his reputation.
Graves may be a fascinating prospect and fits the Raptors’ identity very well, but he’s still a 20-year-old rookie and the team is trying to compete for the Eastern Conference crown. His development and rise through the Raptors’ player ranks may be a long-term project.
So far, it seems fair to expect that these players will be ahead of Graves in the rotation: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, Collin Murray-Boyles, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead, and Jamison Battle. Battle is more experienced and has already proven himself to be a steadily reliable 3-point shooter.
But Graves should still get plenty of opportunities to prove himself and carve out a role for himself. Being aggressive, physical, and unafraid on defense is one thing that will go a long way with Rajakovic and his coaching staff.
He will get two more opportunities in preseason to show his potential on defense and as a 3-point shooter against the Knicks and Pistons.
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