The Raptors made Grant Hughes’ list of “5 NBA Teams Desperate for a Starting Lineup Change” for Bleacher Report, which suggested that Collin Murray-Boyles should start over veteran center Jakob Poeltl. Most Raptors fans will wholeheartedly agree with that assessment. After another injury-ridden down season for Poeltl and an overall disappointing playoff run, most fans are ready for a change at the center position.
Collin Murray-Boyles is the obvious choice to take over. 2025-26 was only his first season in the NBA and he dealt with a thumb injury. Nevertheless, he impressed with his athleticism, physicality, and defensive versatility. Pairing him with Scottie Barnes gave the Raptors a devastating defensive frontcourt.
However, as Hughes pointed out, “most of the data from the regular season and playoffs does not support the idea that Collin Murray-Boyles should start at center over Jakob Poeltl.” He also noted, “but sometimes you have to ditch the numbers, trust your eyes and go with your gut”—and that’s exactly right. The Raptors don’t need to have all the right lineup data to justify prioritizing Murray-Boyles over Poeltl.
Collin Murray-Boyles already looks like a big part of the Raptors’ future
Murray-Boyles was a rookie this season. Poeltl, meanwhile, is a veteran and has experience playing with most of the Raptors’ key players. So, some hiccups with Murray-Boyles in his spot weren’t unexpected. Young players make mistakes and need time to get used to a new system. He also plays very differently, which requires adjustments from his teammates.
None of that takes away from Murray-Boyles’s potential and how well he fits the Raptors’ defensive identity. He may give up some size compared to Poeltl, but he makes up for it with athleticism, switchability, and positional versatility on defense. The physicality of the playoffs didn’t bother him at all. Offensively, Murray-Boyles isn’t nearly as versatile yet, but his game will only continue to improve on that end of the floor. Darko Rajaković wants him to develop a better face-up game this offseason and make him the ballhandler in some pick-and-roll actions.
The best way to allow Murray-Boyles the freedom to develop and grow as an offensive player is to give him as many minutes as possible. Trading Poeltl in the offseason would open the door for the youngster to shine in the starting lineup, but that may be easier said than done. The Raptors will have to work overtime to find a team willing to take on Poeltl’s massive contract, which already ruined their trade-deadline pursuit of Jaren Jackson Jr. during the season.
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