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The quintessential prospect at No. 19 to match the Raptors' winning formula

Allen Graves could be Toronto's guy at No. 19.
ByChris Lambert|
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Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Santa Clara Broncos forward Allen Graves (22) reacts after making a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Santa Clara Broncos forward Allen Graves (22) reacts after making a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Toronto Raptors have what other playoff teams would call a golden ticket this summer with the No. 19 selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. As a team with assumed title aspirations in the near future, being able to draft someone inside the top 20 of this loaded draft class and have them on a team-friendly deal for four years is very valuable. 

When looking at the pool of players expected to be available when the Raptors are selecting, a few stand out more than Santa Clara forward Allen Graves.

The West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year is coming off a killer season for the Broncos, where he showcased a versatile skillset that would slot in perfectly with any playoff team. Graves is long, versatile, talented defensively, can space the floor, and has an incredible feel for the game. 

If the Raptors are looking for someone who can come in and be impactful from day one, but also is loaded with upside, Graves should be their guy on June 23.

Graves is a perfect match for Toronto

This past season, Graves averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game, while shooting 50-plus percent from the floor and 40-plus percent from three. Pairing his skill set as a true do-it-all forward with a 6-foot-7.75 (barefoot), 210-pound frame and a 7-foot wingspan, he could be a weapon in the frontcourt. 

Looking at those defensive playmaking stats, they jump off the page. His steal and block numbers are nuts for a guy who logged just 22.6 minutes per game, but they only scratch the surface.

When I sat down and reviewed Graves' film, I was reminded exactly why I should be as high on him as I am. He’s everywhere defensively, whether it’s on the ball or in the passing lanes, he can muck things up from the perimeter in any sort of role, same goes for him at the rim. Graves is strong as a primary rim protector but thrives in that weakside help role. 

I’d say his biggest strength defensively is his awareness and communication ability. Graves’ head is always on a swivel, which is why he thrives in help and the passing lanes.

Offensively, he could be a much more elevated version of what Sandro Mamukelashvili was this past season for Toronto. Graves is super comfortable off the catch and is a demon in the pick and pop. But his perimeter scoring is limited as an off-ball catch-and-shoot guy, because he can create off the bounce with step-backs and size-ups.

Now in the NBA, his perimeter self-creation may not be as strong as it was in college because the pace of the game is much faster, but over time, it could really develop.

When you have a mixed-bag roster like the Raptors do, it makes drafting someone who can fit into a plethora of lineups and roles that much more important. Graves is that. Head coach Darko Rajakovic could plug him in as small-ball five at times, in the frontcourt with Jakob Poeltl, or even on the wing in jumbo lineups. 

The Raptors’ most recent success stories from the draft have been Scottie Barnes in 2021 and Collin Murray-Boyles in 2025. Both of those guys are versatile defensive playmakers, and if they want to keep that trend going, drafting Allen Graves at No. 19 is a great way to do so.

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