When the Toronto Raptors selected Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, the response was consistent. Murray-Boyles was praised as one of the most compelling two-way players in his class, but the fit with the Raptors was immediately questioned.
It's only taken two preseason games to understand exactly how the Raptors plan to incorporate Murray-Boyles into their system and prove that he fits surprisingly well.
Kevin Pelton of ESPN wrote, "I'm a believer that Murray-Boyles' unorthodox game will translate to the NBA, though Toronto wasn't an ideal landing spot." Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report echoed the sentiment, writing: "Collin Murray-Boyles looks like a Raptor. And that’s not necessarily a compliment, at least when it pertains to his fit."
Although they gave Toronto a B- for the selection, The Ringer criticized the Raptors for ignoring the need for playmaking and shot creation by going with Murray-Boyles:
"We know the Raptors have a type when it comes to wing-sized players, but at some point, you do need to prioritize playmaking and creation. At no. 9, they either didn’t care and stuck to their type or didn’t see a creation talent substantial enough to warrant overriding that approach."
Those are just three examples of the steady criticism Toronto received for drafting a talent who fits their vision, but doesn't necessarily mesh well on paper with the players already on the team. In many respects, it's a fair concern given the sheer volume of tall forwards who struggle to shoot on the Raptors' roster.
Even through just two preseason games, however, it's becoming clear how Murray-Boyles factors into the Raptors' plans—on both ends of the floor.
Collin Murray-Boyles showing he fits well with Raptors despite criticism
Murray-Boyles delivered a show-stealing performance during his second preseason game. He played 23 minutes and finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two blocks, shooting 4-of-8 from the field, 1-of-2 from beyond the arc, and 3-of-3 at the free throw line.
It was the type of well-rounded performance that the Raptors expect from a player who garnered comparisons to do-it-all forwards such as Draymond Green and Anthony Mason in pre-draft analysis.
Murray-Boyles created an impressive standard with his energy. He fought for loose balls, set screens, and held opponents accountable with his pursuit of offensive rebounds. He also proved willing to pick players up at multiple positions while maintaining something of a free safety role on defense.
It was the type of tone-setting performance that Toronto drafted him for—one that goes beyond the scope of whether or not all skill sets mesh perfectly.
Murray-Boyles, heralded as an impressive passer for a modern 4, showcased how he can utilize his body, unique passing angles, and advanced vision to create for teammates. That can include hitting players along the perimeter, but it also reflects his ability to find slashers, complete handoffs while setting sufficient screens, and drive and kick.
It's easy to say that a Raptors team that struggles to bury threes will fail to incorporate Murray-Boyles, but there's a crucial truth to consider: No, they don't have a player who can do what he does.
Collin Murray-Boyles can simplify the game for his teammates
Scottie Barnes is a 6'7" forward who can defend multiple positions and create for others. Brandon Ingram is a 6'8" wing who relishes isolation opportunities and is a willing passer. RJ Barrett is a 6'6" swingman who checks those same boxes.
All three players are capable and at times willing defenders, with Barnes being the best in that regard, but Murray-Boyles checks a unique box on that end of the floor.
Murray-Boyles isn't just capable of playing possessions against bigs and wings alike, but has the tools to spend an entire game in that flexible role. It's one of the primary reasons he's been compared to Green, who won a Defensive Player of the Year award by, to put it simply, being everywhere the Golden State Warriors needed him.
It's easy to argue that Barnes has similar capabilities, but with the offensive workload he shoulders as a volume scorer and playmaker, the burden has long been unsustainable.
Murray-Boyles can instantly take pressure off of Barnes on defense while acting as a bridge between Barnes, Barrett, Ingram, and Immanuel Quickley on offense with his passing. It's a quietly essential role to fill, as there are four players on the roster capable of putting up isolation points in a hurry.
Compounded by the fact that the type of high-energy style of play he embraces can't be ideally sustained by a high-volume scorer or playmaker, Murray-Boyles is a perfect fit.
Raptors' three-point shooting has been underrated by critics
The question about fit is still admittedly based in Toronto's questionable shooting. Barnes is a career 30.0 percent three-point shooter who buried just 27.1 percent of his attempts in 2024-25. Starting center Jakob Poeltl, meanwhile, is an interior-based center who has never attempted more than three three-point field goals in an entire season.
For as concerning as that may be, it's written nowhere that the Raptors need to play Barnes, Murray-Boyles, and Poeltl together for extended periods of time—nor that three-point shooting needs to be the situational priority in those settings.
Furthermore, the Raptors' shooting woes have been greatly overstated. Ochai Agbaji shot 39.9 percent from beyond the arc in 2024-25, Gradey Dick shot 35.0 percent as a rookie, and Quickley has a career mark of 37.5 percent—including 38.7 percent since he joined the Raptors in 2023-24.
Barrett has shot 36.2 percent from distance since joining the Raptors in the same trade as Quickley, and Ingram has buried 37.2 percent of his attempts since 2019-20.
Perhaps those aren't elite marks, but outside of Barnes and Poeltl, most players who will receive consistent playing time for the Raptors can shoot with respectable efficiency. There are issues to work out, but every player on the roster will need to make changes to win.
If the early stages of the preseason are a sign of things to come, then Murray-Boyles will find a way to contribute and the Raptors can take care of the rest as they go.