In a season full of wins and exceeding expectations, one of the Toronto Raptors’ biggest successes was drafting Collin Murray-Boyles. Despite a thumb injury that limited him to 57 regular-season games, Murray-Boyles emerged as an immediate contributor. His defense stood out in particular. He and Scottie Barnes made for a terrifying defensive duo in the Raptors’ frontcourt.
By the time the playoffs came around, Murray-Boyles established himself as the Raptors’ third-most productive player behind RJ Barrett and Barnes despite coming off the bench, and he outplayed starting center Jakob Poeltl.
Murray-Boyles is still coming off the bench to start the season, but he has all the makings of a franchise centerpiece and All-Defensive-level player. As for his defense, the Raptors’ opponents may not be quite ready for what is coming for them.
Bleacher Report ranked the 21-year-old twelfth in its top-30 defender rankings ahead of the 2026-27 season. So, after just one season in which he wasn’t even fully healthy, Murray-Boyles already came close to cracking the top ten. Just imagine how much better he will become as his career continues.
Collin Murray-Boyles is set up for a big second season
Aside from Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto, Collin Murray-Boyles’s development is one of the most exciting storylines for the Raptors’ 2026-27 season. He slimmed down over the offseason and took up running to improve his conditioning. Moreover, he worked on his 3-point shot and the confidence to let it fly whenever he is open behind the arc. He is 2-of-4 from deep so far in preseason action.
Unless Darko Rajakovic quickly decides he would be a better starting center than Poeltl or an injury pushed the second-year player into a starting role, Murray-Boyles could have a legitimate case for Sixth Man of the Year.
He is already regarded as one of the most impactful defenders in the NBA. His offensive production should improve, too, making him an invaluable all-around contributor off the Raptors’ bench—and in the starting lineup whenever Poeltl misses time. Moreover, Murray-Boyles should close a lot of games. Plus, the Raptors should be a very good regular-season team, barring any serious injury to Leonard.
That Sixth Man of the Year candidacy could also hurt Murray-Boyles’s All-Defensive case this season, though. In the last three years, no pure reserve made one of the two All-Defensive Teams. Murray-Boyles would have to be exceptional to receive votes, especially considering that Scottie Barnes is the most likely Raptors representative and will draw a lot of the attention.
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