Headed into this season, I was trying my best to figure out what the Raptors' bench unit would look like. Knowing coach Darko Rajakovic, I’m fully aware he likes to experiment and try different lineups to see what works best. He often mixes and matches players to find combinations that can produce both effectively and efficiently.
I had some idea of who might be in the mix — Gradey Dick, Ja'Kobe Walter, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and the rookie Collin Murray-Boyles. But given Toronto's deep need for backup guard play, there was no doubt in my mind that sophomore guard Jamal Shead would play a big role for the Raptors in the 2025-26 season.
Here we are 14 games into the year, and that prediction has held up so far. Shead’s tenacity and his ability to run the floor as a floor general are still very clear. He’s been a huge help for the Raptors, especially as their bench unit has started to come together quickly. Shead's name can be found on various league-wide advanced stat leader boards, where he is currently top in the NBA in assist ratio at 43.2, and seventh in the NBA for assist to turnover ratio at 3.9.
The Raptors have greatly benefited from Jamal Shead’s impact
Within the Raptors’ ranks, Shead is third in assists per game with an average of 5.0. He’s behind the team leader, Immanuel Quickley, who averages 6.1 assists per game, and just behind Scottie Barnes, who averages 5.3 assists per game. The rest of Shead's 2025-26 stats so far include 6.2 points per game, with a solid 43.3 percent field goal efficiency and 42.1 percent from three. He’s also averaging 1.7 rebounds and nearly a steal per game at 0.8, all in about 18.1 minutes of play on average.
In a recent episode of The Game Theory Podcast with Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon, the NBA draft expert took a moment to talk about the "Jamal Shead Experience," where he said (YouTube link here):
"... I mean, the Jamal Shead Experience has been so great this year. He is so useful, in this run, this eight-game run, he's been a positive in six of the eight games. And we're not just talking like a positive. He was a +10 in the game against Cleveland, a game that they won by 11. He was a +7 in the game against Memphis, the game they won by 13. He's a +17 against Milwaukee in a game they won by 28. A +7 against Atlanta in a game they won by 12. -9 against Philly in a game they lost. -4 against Brooklyn, and then +15 in a game they won by 13 against Cleveland, and +17 in a game they won by 18 against Indiana."Sam Vecenie, Nov 17, 2025
Vecenie added further:
"Basically like Jamal Shead is playing a huge role with his defensive energy and ability to pick up full court and frustrate opponents. And also really move the ball at a high level, I think that's where the game has taken a big leap for him this year. He is passing it a really high level ... And frankly, I think he's been their best point guard this year, even though [Immanuel] Quickley has gotten way better over the course of this run as well."Sam Vecenie
For a guy who wasn't even Toronto's original draft pick (Thank you, Sacramento!) and was selected 45th overall, Jamal Shead is on a path that could lead to a long NBA career. If he can maintain a decent shooting level, continue his strong playmaking, and stay relentless on the defensive end, Shead is poised to remain a notable presence in the NBA.