The dust has somewhat settled, but Raptors fans are still left trying to digest the events of this past week. After 13 seasons, the organization parted ways with President and Vice Chairman Masai Ujiri, which shook the league as it came immediately after the 2025 NBA Draft.
Whether or not the writing was on the wall for Masai’s departure, it’s a move that was not expected, especially one day after the draft.
Which brings up another question mark centered around Toronto’s lottery pick Collin Murray-Boyles. Many Raptors fans took immediately to socials to air out their frustrations around the 9th overall pick, especially after Murray-Boyles immediate reaction. Once commissioner Adam SIlver called his’ name on the podium, viewers could see the 6-foot-7 South Carolina product mouthing out an F-bomb after being selected by Toronto.
Even though he cleared the air by explaining that his reaction was a good type of F-bomb, Raptors fans were still left feeling somewhat confused at the pick. Some reports suggest that they were potentially eyeing center Derik Queen or forward Noa Essengue. Collin Murray-Boyles was not quite on a lot of people’s radars when it came to potential picks at the 9 spot.
The one big head scratcher that some fans might still be mulling over is the decision to pass on Duke standout Khaman Maluach. It was widely reported that the Toronto Raptors were very interested in the center from South Sudan. Addressing the center position this off-season was a major focal-point for this squad, so it felt like the fit between Maluach and the Raptors was meant to be.
Why did Bobby Webster and Masai Ujiri pass on Khaman Maluch?
In a video that surfaced post draft, NBA superagent Rich Paul can be seen on the phone with Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia.
Inside look at Rich Paul talking about Khaman Maluach before the Phoenix Suns drafted him at #10 pic.twitter.com/5joZjlJQzF
— Homecoming Network (@Homecoming_Net) June 28, 2025
It’s still unclear as to the conversations that were had between Paul and the Raptors' front office, let alone the Brooklyn Nets or New Orleans Pelicans who were also pegged to be interested in Maluach. What we do know is that calls were made and Maluach fell to Phoenix, whether or not that was Maluach’s preferred destination or Paul’s.
But is that enough for a team to pass on a player they were clearly interested in? Likely not the case, otherwise Utah wouldn’t have drafted Ace Bailey with the 5th pick.
The Raptors came to the conclusion that Collin Murray-Boyles is the better rounded, more talented, NBA-ready player. Time and time again, we’ve heard Masai talk about taking the best available talent on the board and that’s what they feel they have in CMB.
What Malauch has in length and height, Murray Boyles makes up for in positioning, speed and agility. With player comparisons drawing Khaman Maluach to Rudy Gobert and Collin Murray-Boyles to Draymond Green (post NBA combine), CMB fits the type of player this organization goes after.
The frustration from Raptors fans after the draft was that our backup center position was not addressed at all in the draft. Front office would then pick up Sandro Mamukelashvili on a cheap 2-year deal that will provide a bit of forward/center depth and space the floor with his three-point range.
While Maluach has been deemed to have immense upside, possibly the most in the draft, Murray-Boyles seems to be the right pick to fit the Raptors mold. While time will only tell, Raptors Nation seems to be a little more at ease with the final first-round pick that Masai Ujiri orchestrated with the organization.