The Raptors used the 19th overall pick in this year’s draft to select Allen Graves, another defensive-minded forward. His 3-point shot—although he didn’t take a ton of shots from deep in college—promises a smooth offensive fit with Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles if it translates to the NBA, and the Raptors are undoubtedly intrigued by the potential of having three disruptive defenders like that on the same roster.
Graves is a very Raptors-like pick, which is exactly what prompted Sam Vecenie, who had Graves 30th on his big board, to predict that Toronto will be the best fit possible for the 19-year-old on a live draft show of The Game Theory Podcast. Vecenie and his co-host, Bryce Simon, shared some reservations about Graves’s potential because his numbers dropped against good competition, and he’s not the greatest athlete, but they still couldn’t blame the Raptors for drafting him.
“The thing about Toronto as a fit is, I think Darko Rajaković is an unbelievable coach at getting these guys who make .5 decisions to work,” Vecenie said. “He loves dribble, pass, shoot, and think. Those are the things that really work for him. So, I think, if Graves is going to work, this is literally the best possible place for him to go.”
He also added, “It really fits their scheme in a way that makes sense.”
Vecenie paints a picture of a perfect win-win scenario in which Graves has already landed with the team that will allow him to become the best player he can be, and the Raptors found another player who fits their system perfectly and validates their draft approach.
The Raptors are still prioritizing two-way players
The Raptors love their big two-way wings and forwards, and they are building a roster filled with them once again, with Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and now Allen Graves. Graves may not be the All-NBA-level star Barnes is, or as pro-ready as Murray-Boyles was in his rookie season, but he fits the Raptors’ type and vision.
“It’s always been the best available two-way players,” GM Bobby Webster said when asked about the Raptors’ preference for big, versatile forwards.
Graves was a very disruptive defender in his lone college season, averaging almost 2 steals and just under 1 block per game. If he can bring that same kind of activity to the NBA, he, Barnes, and Murray-Boyles will give opponents plenty of headaches with their defense.
What makes Graves such an interesting fit with the Raptors offensively is his 3-point shot. He shot 40% on 2.6 attempts per game. If that skill translates to the NBA, it could make him incredibly valuable for a Raptors team struggling to space the floor.
There’s a lot of potential with Graves’s fit in Toronto, but he is only 19, and played just one season of college basketball as a reserve. He will need time to develop.
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