Hearing all these Raptors trade rumors — potential major targets like Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis, and especially Giannis Antetokounmpo — has definitely given me that dose of excitement I crave around deadline season. At the same time, it’s making me and I’m sure many others in Raptors Nation wonder what assets might be on the table for such high-profile names.
These guys won’t just find their way into Raptors threads for nothing; it’ll take a significant amount of value on Toronto’s end to make a deal happen — especially if we’re talking about a guy like Giannis. The Raptors have shown in years past they can pull off pivotal trades without gutting their asset pool, like the game-changing Kawhi Leonard trade or last year’s relatively budget-friendly acquisition of Brandon Ingram.
That said, Toronto’s record isn’t always spotless when it comes to managing their assets carefully. Remember when they traded away crucial first-round picks to acquire Thaddeus Young and Jakob Poeltl — two moves that proved baffling at the time and even weirder in hindsight.
Which brings us to Toronto’s current situation. They’re one of the few teams with full control over their future draft capital, giving them a clear edge over other hungry squads in the market. Plus, they have a wealth of mid-sized contracts to match salaries (whether or not they're actually desirable is the question), along with a couple of promising young players in the mix.
However, one piece that has unquestionably cemented his status in Toronto's untouchable tier is their recent lottery pick — the standout rookie and recently named NBA Rising Stars participant, Collin Murray-Boyles.
Raptors can't afford to lose Collin Murray-Boyles as trade rumors intensify
If Toronto wants to make a serious push for a deep playoff run, they need players they can trust to give their all — making winning plays, hustling constantly, and embodying the Raptors' defensive identity. Collin Murray-Boyles has already done just that, and mind you, he's just a newcomer in a league full of physically imposing veterans. Obviously to this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if rival teams start flooding the Raptors’ line with calls, asking about CMB’s availability.
But if Toronto can work their magic and pull off a major trade without sacrificing Murray-Boyles, they absolutely must do everything in their power to make it happen.
The Raptors just suffered a tough loss against the New York Knicks on January 28, but there was a silver lining: Murray-Boyles returned to the lineup after missing Toronto’s successful Week 14 campaign on the sidelines. In the game, Murray-Boyles would secure a new career-high of four blocks, while maintaining his constant presence on various ends of the floor, racking up five rebounds and four assists.
Player archetypes like Collin Murray-Boyles can become major drivers of a franchise’s success. Just look at the guy CMB is often compared to as a junior or lite-version — Draymond Green. I get that there are some huge franchise-changing possibilities on the table, like Giannis Antetokounmpo for Toronto. As alluring as it is, Toronto needs to remember they have a 20-year-old in their midst who plays his heart out and will be a high-impact threat (perhaps even a generational defender) for years to come.
The Raptors definitely wouldn’t want to find themselves on the outside looking in, wondering what could’ve been, after giving him up.