Offseason Report Card: Raptors get an A, four Bs, three Cs and a D for summer moves

5. Drafted Jamal Shead

Drafted Houston point guard Jamal Shead with the No. 45 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft

The Toronto Raptors had extremely solid backline defense last season when their main players were healthy, with Jakob Poeltl walling off the paint and Scottie Barnes swinging over on the weakside to block shots and disrupt offenses. Where they struggled was stopping the ball on the perimeter, with a variety of good perimeter defenders who collectively were not locking things down.

The Raptors have been clear that point of attack and on-ball defense is a priority this offseason, and they backed that up by trading for Davion Mitchell and drafting Jamal Shead. Shead, a senior guard out of Houston, was one of the very best defensive players in the entire 2024 NBA Draft.

The reason he fell to the 45th pick is that he is small at 6'1" and is position-locked at point guard. he is not a consistent outside shooter and his drive game is fine, not special. He is a smart player who will play hard, can hit open teammates and will defend like a tornado, but his upside is more Jose Alvarado than Chris Paul.

The Raptors desperately need more forward-sized players, and while Shead's defense at the point of attack is valuable to have, if the Raptors could have taken shots at 6'7" players who can also defend guards they would have unlocked more lineup versatility. Shead had an up-and-down time in Las Vegas Summer League, but he should have a clear path to being the long-term backup point guard in Toronto.

Grade: B-