Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors were clearly frustrated with the roster's inability to defend at a high level last season, which led to on-ball defense and positional versatility emerging as the No. 1 trait in focus during the 2025 NBA Draft.
Toronto used the No. 9 pick in the draft to select arguably the best defensive player in the entire class in South Carolina power forward Collin Murray-Boyles. On a team laden with guys who can average 18 points per game, Murray-Boyles' hard-nosed positionless defense should be a real asset they can lean on.
The Raptors kept the defensive theme going on Day 2. Not only did they use the No. 39 pick on Florida shooting guard and national champion Alijah Martin, but the Raptors signed Louisville point guard Chucky Hepburn to a two-way contract the very instant the NBA Draft came to a close.
Hepburn is the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 2.4 steals per game for a rebuilt Cardinals squad. Imagine if he is able to have even half that level of defensive impact in the pros.
Toronto Raptors add Louisville PG Chucky Hepburn on two-way contract after NBA Draft
Hepburn averaged 16.4 points and 5.8 assists per game one year after transferring from Wisconsin. Hepburn makes up for a lack of amazing perimeter shooting with a quick first step and the ability to finish close to the rim, both of which should help him compete if he gets any NBA minutes.
However, Hepburn is a skinny 6-2 guard who is not going to be a true shooting guard at the NBA level, which limits his upside in the pros. Raptors fans may remember fellow Louisville tweener guard David Johnson getting picked in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft and playing a handful of minutes before disappearing.
Hepburn will likely spend most of his time alongside Martin on Raptors 905 in the G League next season. Down in the developmental league, Hepburn can work on becoming a more complete offensive player. The good news is that Hepburn has shown he can improve throughout the course of his college career.
With three high-end defenders in Murray-Boyles, Martin, and Hepburn all coming to the roster, Toronto may finally be done with the days of needing to score 130 points just to win a game. This roster is by no means finished being remade, as free agency is approaching.