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[Toronto Raptors]

The Toronto Raptors are in the mix for 4 “Big Fish” this offseason

Tim Wearing

The flashiest option for the Toronto Raptors this season is to make a big trade, but do any of the “big fish” on the market fit their goals and current players?

The Toronto Raptors have some roster problems, as we discussed in part 1 of this series. If they want to return to being playoff contenders, there are some personnel issues to address. Namely, there is no “top-tier superstar” on this roster, and while the other pieces of the puzzle are talented, a lot of them have similar skills. Most of the Raptors’ players operate best with the ball in their own hands, creating chances for themselves.

After thinking about some options, here is what I think the Raptors could do this offseason to make themselves a stronger team immediately:

1. Keep their No. 9 Draft pick, hope they draft well, bank on internal development and take the long-term approach to building this team.
2. Trade down the draft for a veteran or multiple first-round picks, while also betting on internal development.
3. Go “big fish hunting” and try and trade for a superstar, hope history repeats itself.

Let’s dive into these options one by one, starting with the flashy option: trading for a superstar. Four MVP-calibre players are rumoured to be available this summer.

Kevin Durant — Phoenix Suns​

Online speculations are attaching Kevin Durant to the Toronto Raptors. Trading for Durant might be one of the dumbest ideas I’ve heard in a long time, given where this Raptors team currently is, personnel-wise.

I still think Durant is going to be a Hall of Famer, going down as one of the best scorers in the history of the game. He’s also 37 years old, has missed an average of nearly 30 games over the last five seasons, and before that, missed an entire season due to a torn Achilles. He also didn’t make the All-Star team last season while on the disappointing Phoenix Suns team that didn’t make the playoffs. He has a history of burning bridges, and I wouldn’t even consider him MVP-calibre anymore.

To make matters worse, Durant has only a year left on his contract, meaning that the Raptors would likely have only one season to win a Championship (since Toronto is not on his list of destinations). When they traded for Kawhi, the team had made the playoffs five years in a row, making it past the first round the previous three seasons. They were playoff veterans, but had hit their ceiling. Half of the current roster has never even played a playoff game before. And from the rumours, some of the players who have played more than one playoff series would be headed back to Phoenix in any trade for Durant.

In the right situation, Durant would be a good addition, but the Raptors are not that situation.

Jaylen Brown — Boston Celtics​

While Brown is not an MVP-calibre player, he won a Finals MVP, made an All-NBA 2nd team and three All-Star teams. He would also immediately become the best player on the Raptors and probably wouldn’t be as pricey as some of the actual superstars that might be available.

If Brown is available, then it’s likely that trading for him wouldn’t require sending out Scottie Barnes. The problem is that while Brown wouldn’t cost as much as others, just to match his salary would require the Raptors losing what little depth they have, and Brown frankly isn’t good enough to make up for that. Plus, Brown’s inconsistent three-point shooting would make him and Scottie an awkward pairing.

Giannis Antetokounmpo — Milwaukee Bucks​

While online speculation claims that Giannis might not be available this summer, he another superstar linked to the Raptors. Unlike Durant, Giannis is still in his prime and has finished in the top 5 for MVP voting for the last 7 seasons (winning it twice) and just turned 30 six months ago.

Masai has been enamoured with Giannis since before he was drafted and even tried to trade their way back into the 2013 draft to grab him, but was unsuccessful.

Interestingly, Bryan Colangelo traded the pick away to Houston in a deal for Kyle Lowry, who would end up becoming arguably the greatest Raptor of all time. Then that pick was traded to Oklahoma City, and Masai unsuccessfully tried to make a deal to get it back. That pick was No. 12 overall, and Giannis went No. 15, so if they had kept their pick, Giannis would have become a Raptor that night.

On the surface, trading for Giannis seems like the ideal scenario. He would be the superstar the Raptors lack, and with the East projected to be fairly weak, a Giannis-led Raptors team would have an easier path to the Finals than they did when they won their title in 2019.

There are negatives to trading for Giannis, however.

First off, while Giannis is still in his prime, he will turn 31 next season, and his game relies on speed and athleticism. NBA players are certainly playing longer than they used to. LeBron is still a top ten player at 40, Steph is 37, but they are outliers.

Let’s say the Raptors trade for Giannis, and he has three more prime years left. Unlike when the Raptors traded for Kawhi, Giannis needs to be surrounded by three-point shooters. Unfortunately, the Raptors don’t have very many good three-point shooters.

The fact is that the Raptors’ roster isn’t a great fit for Giannis. The Bucks would likely demand Gradey and possibly Ochai in any trade for Giannis, along with several draft picks. If the Raptors trade for Giannis, there is a possible future where they struggle to surround him with the right players before he starts declining.

Ja Morant — Memphis Grizzlies​

Of all the superstars on this list, Ja Morant is the one I would probably be the least opposed to the Raptors getting in a trade. Yes, there are major negatives to Morant, not including what he’s done off the court. He’s not a great shooter, and he’s never come close to playing an entire season because of injuries.

That said, several positives might put Morant at the front of the line for the Raptors. First, he’s just 25, which puts him on the same timeline as the rest of Toronto’s players, especially Scottie Barnes.

If Memphis does decide to move him (a big if), then I don’t think the Raptors would have that much competition to get him. Outside of the Raptors, there aren’t any teams with the need or desire to go after a guy like Morant. There would certainly be questions about how Morant would fit with the current roster, but the Raptors would have some time to figure that out.

Would a package that included Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick and a first round pick (or two if need be) be enough to get him? I guess that all depends on how much Memphis wants to move on from him.

In the next part, I’ll discuss the other options the Raptors have this offseason and what they can do if they don’t hook a “big fish” this offseason.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/18...rade-rumors-draft-giannis-durant-morant-brown

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Masai Ujiri’s Next Masterclass — Hidden Gems in the NBA Draft’s 2nd Round

Toronto holds pick No. 39 — and with Ujiri’s eye for talent, one of these under-the-radar prospects could be the franchise’s next diamond in the rough.

The Toronto Raptors will step to the podium early in the second round with the 39th pick in the NBA Draft. This year’s class is flush with off-beat talent that could bloom inside the Raptors’ famed development lab. Let’s run five of the most intriguing names through the RaptorsHQ microscope — an abbreviated version of what we liked, disliked, and the overall Raptors fit of these prospects.

Hunter Sallis: Combo Guard, Wake Forest (Senior)​

Combine Measurements​

Age: 22.2​

Height w/o Shoes: 6’3.75”​

Wingspan: 6’10”​

Standing Reach: 8’4”​

Wake Forest guard Hunter Sallis was giving Stanford PROBLEMS

30 PTS
12-17 FG pic.twitter.com/k2VVpTKV6Z

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) January 16, 2025​

Sallis’ story reads like a redemption arc. Once a McDonald’s All-American, he stagnated at Gonzaga, then exploded at Wake Forest—18 points, 5.1 boards, and 2.8 dimes this past season. He dances with the ball, generating separation via hang dribbles and cross-snatch pull-ups. He’s got a complex shotmaking bag, incorporating his handle and footwork with his face-up game.

Yet the questions linger. Sallis can manipulate a screen but gets tunnel vision; turnovers spike when defenses load up. He’s 181 lbs soaking wet, so finishing through help is an adventure. Defensively, the wingspan and feet exist, but the motor flickers—he’ll lock in one possession and not have the same energy the next. Additionally, Sallis shot poorly from the perimeter this past season — 27.7%, compared to his Junior season, where he shot a scorching 40.5%. The question here is which one’s a one-off, and can it be rediscovered?

Toronto’s bench desperately needs self-creators. There’s a reason why the Raptors are linked to Malik Monk, one of the premier bench scorers in the league right now. Under Coach Rajaković’s development, hopefully, the defensive inconsistency will iron out; the Raptors have turned raw tools into functional stoppers before. Offensively, Barnes’ playmaking would free Sallis to hunt mismatches instead of playing quarterback.

At 39, betting on bucket-getters with length and pedigree is historically wise. If the Raptors can bulk Sallis up and sharpen his reads, he might become the sixth-man scorer fans crave.

Adou Thiero: Wing, Arkansas (Junior)​

Combine Measurements​

Age: 21.1​

Height w/o Shoes: 6’6.25”​

Wingspan: 7’0”​

Standing Reach: 8’8.5”​

Adou Thiero ambidextrous shot blocking is one of my favorite niche traits of any player in this class. Left hand, right hand, walling up with two, chase downs, rotating from weak side, and meeting guys at the rim. pic.twitter.com/yrYXwTHY2D

— Will Rucker (@Will_Rucker3_AD) June 18, 2025​

Thiero’s one-year detour at Lexington turned him from an athletic curiosity at Kentucky into a bona fide defensive terror for Arkansas. He averaged a modest 15.1-5.8-1.9 line, but the numbers hide how suffocating he was at the point of attack. With a legit 7-foot wingspan and pogo-stick bounce, Thiero erased drives, swallowed passing lanes, and bounced between guarding twitchy guards and bruising fours in the same possession. His 2.3 stocks don’t justify his defensive impact on the floor. Offensively, he’s a straight-line slasher who absolutely lives at the dunker spot and in transition.

The swing skill is the jumper: as a Junior, Thiero’s 25.6 % on low volume (1.6 3PA) is a testament that his shooting form will be a major project as a rookie. Yet Toronto’s shooting lab has fixed stranger hitches (remember OG’s pre-draft form?). On-ball creation is minimal—Thiero doesn’t slice with combo moves; he bulldozes with a long first step—so spacing will dictate his ceiling.

Still, Darko Rajaković’s scheme is built on movement, cuts, and length. Picture Thiero ghost-screening for Scottie Barnes, rolling into empty space and detonating at the rim while defenders panic about Barnes’ skip pass. Defensively, he fits seamlessly into the Raptors’ switch-everything ethos, offering a jumbo guard option who can body up 1–4 and turbo-charge Toronto’s still-rebuilding transition attack.

Bottom line: if the perimeter shot climbs to even 33 % by Year 2, Thiero becomes a rotation-level two-way wrecking ball. At 39, that’s a gamble worth taking.

Jamir Watkins: Wing, Florida State (Senior)​

Combine Measurements​

Age: 23.9​

Height w/o Shoes: 6’5”​

Wingspan: 6’11.25”​

Standing Reach: 8’6.5”​

NBA teams are always in the market for two-way wings like Jamir Watkins who can wreak havoc defensively and do a little bit of everything offensively. https://t.co/JEwn5NnwWf pic.twitter.com/BN9SPanoc8

— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) May 28, 2025​

Every draft hides a Swiss Army knife wing who stuffs box scores without fanfare. Watkins is that dude. After flashing potential at VCU, he blossomed in Tallahassee: 18 points, 5.7 boards, 2.4 dimes, and 1.7 steals, most importantly, brutalizing opponents in transition and on the glass. Watkins’ first step is a battering ram; he has excellent hands and is a quick-twitch athlete that allows him to finish above the rim like a small-ball four.

On defense, he mirrors wings with good hip fluidity for a 225-lb frame, piling up deflections and weak-side blocks. He’s the kind of multiple-effort defender that Raptors Twitter salivates over. The major downside is his shooting: 32.1% from three-point range, a set shot that tends to drift. Florida State’s spacing woes didn’t help, and he might have taken more perimeter shots than he should have. Still, Watkins must become a credible catch-and-shoot threat to prevent his defenders from helping off him.

Toronto’s ecosystem is perfect for Watkins’ transformation. His effort, motor, and impact on defence will occasionally catch the eye of Coach Rajakovic, especially if he’s looking for a spark plug. Darko’s free-flowing offense would allow Watkins to cut, post smaller guards, and attack shifting defenses without heavy on-ball duties.

If the jumper pops by Year 2, he’s a rotation-grade 3-and-D wrecking ball; if not, he’s at least an agent of chaos, a change of pace trump card that will see additional time in the G League. In Round 2, that floor-plus-ceiling combo is gold.

Bogi Marković: 6’11” Stretch Forward, Mega Basket (Serbia)​

Combine Measurements​

Age: 19.9​

Height w/o Shoes: 6’10.5”​

Wingspan: 6’11.5”​

Standing Reach: 9’2”​

Europe’s latest Mega Basket export is a 20-year-old modern “big man” Boguljub Markovic. Marković is one of the most well-rounded bigs in this draft offensively, someone who’s capable of playing in the paint and around the perimeter. He buried 37% of his threes while averaging 13.7 points, 6.8 boards, and 2.7 dimes. At 6’11”, he makes good reads and advanced passes, weaponizing a high-feel game that screams “modern NBA big.”

The downside: he’s built like a twig. Listed at 190 lbs, Bogi gets nudged off rebounding lanes and concedes deep seals to bulkier posts. Lateral quickness isn’t elite, so NBA wings might roast him on switches until strength catches up. His rebounding leaves a lot to be desired, a sore spot for any frontcourt prospect.

Why Toronto? Because few franchises cultivate lanky, high-skill internationals better. Marković could spend his rookie year splitting time between Mississauga and Toronto. In Toronto’s five-out sets, his pick-and-pop gravity would unglue defenses for Barnes’s rim dives. Plus, a frontcourt pairing of Bogi and Jakob Poeltl marries spacing with rim protection.

If the Raptors’ famed high-performance team adds 20 lbs of functional muscle, Marković projects as a floor-spacing connector. At 39, that’s a swing worth taking.

Hansen Yang: Center, Qingdao Eagles (China)​

Combine Measurements​

Age: 19.9​

Height w/o Shoes: 7’1”​

Wingspan: 7’2.75”​

Standing Reach: 9’3”​

Hansen Yang’s CBA stat line reads like a teenager’s MyCAREER flex: 16 points, 10.5 boards, 3 dimes, and 3.7 stocks on 59 percent shooting, over 53 starts for Qingdao. Toss in back-to-back All-Star nods and that unicorn Rookie-plus-Defensive-POY combo, and you’ve got the Chinese League’s biggest plot twist since Jimmer dropped 70. But the real hook? The seven-footer used to be a guard. He’ll yank a rebound, push the pace like he’s still 6-4, capable of a laser hit-ahead dime before the defence blinks.

That leftover guard DNA is the selling point that’ll keep Masai’s scouting crew awake at night. Park Yang at the elbow, and he morphs into a 7-foot point-forward, slinging back-door dimes and orchestrating dribble-handoffs. Inside the arc, he’s all angles and soft touch—wrong-foot floaters here, left-hand baby hooks there—while a 9-3 standing reach and pristine foul discipline let him erase shots without hacking. The jumper is still a work in progress (33.3 percent from deep, 67.1 at the stripe this past season), but the form looks workable, and the confidence is already there. Sprinkle in a 30-inch vert from the NBA Draft combine, and you’ve got the blueprint for a modern, pass-first skyscraper.

Of course, the NBA is where overstated CBA numbers go to die. Yang slides rather than explodes, so he’ll be targeted in pick-and-rolls or switches until Toronto can figure out how to be a decent big defender in space. The downside is his effectiveness will be limited if, as Shakira says, “Hips don’t lie,” and he doesn’t improve from that vantage point.

30 secs of Hansen Yang Defending at NBA Combine:

There are valid concerns about how Yang projects as a defender in the NBA, he isn't as fluid or quick as other bigs in this draft class, but WOW can his length and motor make up for it.

19 yrs (20 next month)
7'1 Barefoot - 253… pic.twitter.com/uqQ4FrVZKI

— Quinn Fishburne (@QuinnFishburne) May 23, 2025​

Yang’s boards come more from being tall than boxing out, and teams will happily sag until that pick-and-pop percentage starts with a number “3”. But the 2nd round is where Masai loves to take big swings, and Darko Rajaković’s motion offense is begging for a playmaking five. Give Yang the same offensive responsibilities in the half-court offense, feed RJ Barrett/Ochai Agbaji via back-cuts, and watch Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter feast off his kick-outs—suddenly, Toronto’s rebuild has a seven-foot conductor who cost pennies on the draft-day dollar.

Who is the best fit among these 2nd Round Prospects?​

Thiero’s switchability, Yang’s playmaking size, Sallis’ shotmaking, Watkins’ do-everything wing game, and Marković’s stretch-big upside each scratch a different itch on the Raptors’ depth chart. The beauty of pick 39 is freedom: Toronto can chase whichever archetype slips. History says Masai will trust the development machine. Any one of these six could be the next second-round success story wearing a Dino jersey.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/19...ors-draft-nba-masai-ujiri-round-pick-prospect

 

[Toronto Raptors]

This BYU standout is exactly the player Masai Ujiri loves to develop

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Egor Demin blends positional versatility with elite passing feel, making him a rare chess piece in today’s NBA Draft.

Marquee names suck up most of the oxygen in every draft cycle, but the RaptorsHQ’s Draft Watch is where we crack a window and let the hidden aromas drift in. Our next new scent? Egor Demin, the Russian 6-foot-9 guard who spent his formative years in Real Madrid’s academy before running Kevin Young’s uptempo show at BYU. Demin’s resume oozes premium stock: Euroleague Next-Gen champion, Real Madrid senior-team cameo at 17, and now the first five-star recruit in Cougar history. In a class light on true primary creators, his jumbo-guard profile has lottery teams (and most likely the Toronto Raptors’ scouts) salivating.

Mock Draft Range​

Best rank: 7 / Worst rank: 24​

(Per Hoopshype’s Aggregate Mock Draft 7.0)

Taking his Game to De-Max​

At 6’9” with a 6’10.25” wingspan, Demin surveys the floor like a veteran point guard. He manipulates the defense with eye/head fakes, whips left/right-handed live-dribble laser passes to the corner, and will do the Steve Nash “keep alive” dribble until he finds an opening. He sees and leads the cutter with his passes while maintaining a live dribble. If there’s any doubt that he can play the point, just watch plenty of BYU’s pick-and-roll possessions, where it felt like they scored on almost every sequence. Watching Demin in PnR actions, it feels like everything is in slow motion for him as he manipulates the defense, angles, and timing and waits for the perfect pocket pass to the roll man.

Egor Demin is a 6’9 PG with incredible passing vision and some slept on versatility. With the right cast around him he could very well be a matchup nightmare for years to come. Just needs that consistent jumper pic.twitter.com/hXPO3gMdKl

— Evan (@Evtowns) April 25, 2025​

Demin sets the tone for his team, often dictating when to slow down or push in transition. He makes excellent decisions on when to grab the rebound and push the pace, using his court vision to get easy buckets that even the Indiana Pacers will approve. Demin’s size also allows him to playmake like a big at the nail, where he can act as a connector. Also, he’s big enough to be on inverted pick-and-roll, but he hasn’t been utilized that way. Just imagine how deadly he can be with his passing as the receiver on the short roll.

Scoring-wise, while it feels like Demin wanted to get rid of the ball all the time, he’s shown a willingness to create his own shot or be the play finisher. Smaller guards can get in trouble against him once he touches the paint, as his size allows him to shoot over them. He’s not explosive but nifty enough to manipulate the defense and create his openings with his unorthodox layups. Demin has shown a willingness to pull up or catch and shoot from the perimeter, but it hasn’t been consistent.

Demin’s basketball IQ is not just on display on the offensive end. He’s a solid team defender, making good reads on when and who to rotate, using his length to stunt and play the passing lanes. Demin slides well enough to switch across 1-3 positions and has enough length and quickness to cover ground and rotate back to the perimeter.

De-Min-imal Improvements Needed​

Demin’s perimeter shooting needs some work. It’s tough to be a starting-calibre point guard if he can’t shoot, and the defense sagging off him negates most of the advantage that his size gives him. Demin is also not one of the top 5 best athletes on the floor, even at the NCAA level. Much like Steve Nash and Josh Giddey, he relies on his handle, angles, misdirection, and threat to pass to give him a pseudo-first step. He’ll often look for a re-screen if the initial PnR action got busted, and a lot of that is because he could not get past his defender. Demin is scrawny, and if he’s already struggling through contact in his drives to the basket, the monsters are bigger and stronger at the next level.

Another issue here is what kind of role Demin can play if he’s not the main playmaker on the floor. He likes to have the ball in his hands for the most part, and he’s not that effective as a play finisher due to his limitations.

De-Fit with the Toronto Raptors​

The addition of Demin will revive the “Vision 6’9” narrative. He will be another jumbo decision-maker alongside Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Brandon Ingram. However, I wonder how effective he can be when he’s not the primary ball handler and in Coach Darko Rajakovic’s pass-happy offensive schemes.

Egor Demin has the highest assist % of a Freshman 6’8 or taller going back to 2008. Looking at Freshmen 6’8 or taller since then to have an assist% of 25 and at least a box plus minus of 4.

Egor Demin
Scottie Barnes
Ben Simmons
Cooper Flagg pic.twitter.com/fmpFRJcknP

— NBA Cody (@NBACody12) June 11, 2025​

Demin’s size and versatility should allow him to afford rotation minutes. The Raptors can even play two backup point guards, as Jamal Shead complements his game fairly well. A bench mob with Demin, Shead, Mogbo, and one of Walter/Gradey could be a fun one. Defensively, his hip mobility, wingspan, and IQ should allow him to switch 1-3, but he will need to get stronger to comfortably switch against stronger forwards, especially power forwards.

However, Demin, at 19, aligns with the team’s developmental arc and timeline, considering Barnes, Gradey Dick, and Ja’Kobe Walter. He’s a hedge for the present and the future. He could be useful in spot minutes, especially if he can hit his perimeter shots at a decent clip, but having him on the fold is more of a long-term play. Who knows whether Immanuel Quickley will still be the team’s starting point guard next season? If anything, he provides the front office with an “out” for a quick pivot in case this “compete now” experiment flops. There’s no better way to start a rebuild than having a starting-level young point guard at your disposal.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/20...s-draft-watch-byu-egor-demin-pick-nba-lottery

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Lessons the Raptors can take from the Pacers’ incredible Cinderella run

Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

As the NBA Finals come to an end, there is something to be taken from how the Indiana Pacers built a team steady enough to go the distance.

Every year, there is one team that provides a blueprint of how the modern game should be played. In 2019, it was your beloved Toronto Raptors. In 2025, it’s the improbable Indiana Pacers. Who could have envisioned this just two months ago?

True, the Oklahoma City Thunder stormed to 68 wins and crowned the league’s MVP. Their story is compelling: a masterclass in drafting and a seismic trade for the eventual MVP. Yet, is it not the Pacers who have captured our attention?

What exactly can Masai Ujiri, Bobby Webster, and the rest of the Toronto Raptors glean from these Pacers?

First, you have to give the Pacers their flowers for identifying and decisively addressing what they needed to take the next step: a legitimate #2 or 1B. Enter Pascal Siakam, Canada’s adopted son. Pascal has been a calming influence and a steady leader for the Pacers. When Spicy P says, “Don’t take it for granted” or encourages his teammates to “force your will”, they clearly listen.

On the defensive end, the Pacers allow a staggering 9.3 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor (108.6) than they do when he sits (117.9) in these playoffs. Offensively, Siakam quietly shines without touches. They would be wise to involve him even more.

But the Pacers aren’t solely built on star power. They go at least 10 deep. They also exemplify the versatility that Masai coveted over the past few years with ‘Vision 6’9”’. In last year’s playoff run, the Celtics targeted a smaller Haliburton on defense en route to a commendably contested but not-so-close four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals.

A determined Haliburton worked relentlessly on his defense in the offseason. The result? A defensive chain without broken links. Add in defensive stalwarts Nembhard, who’s been frustrating SGA since they were 9 years old, and Nesmith, who took the lead against Brunson and the Knicks, and you have a tough, switchable perimeter defense to go along with their mobile bigs.

And those mobile bigs can shoot. Siakam, Turner and Toppin combined to shoot a sparkling 38.5% from three in the regular season. As steady a force as Poeltl has been, he’s not exactly keeping defenses honest.

Combine shooting prowess with passing and speed, and you’ve got a lethal offense. In the playoffs, the Pacers are second only to the Heat series-inflated Cavs in points per 100 possessions and lead all teams in assists per game. Howard Beck of The Ringer called it bringing the ‘Seven Second or Less’ offense to its final form. It demands quick decisions from a high IQ roster and the willingness to run track meets on game day.

The Pacers have fully bought into the system. They play tough, inbound with urgency, and get back on defense — even if it sometimes means sacrificing offensive rebounds. All by design. In return, Rick Carlisle has handed them the reins. “Coach trusts us in those moments to not call timeouts...” Haliburton told Lisa Saulters after his ice-cold dagger in Game 1 of The Finals. They believe in themselves no matter what the score.

Regardless of what happens in games 6 and 7 of The Finals, this is a team to be feared, revered and shamelessly emulated.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/19...rs-nba-finals-lessons-haliburton-okc-playoffs

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Why Toronto Must Draft Collin Murray-Boyles

Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

He’s the perfect blend of toughness, versatility, IQ, and defensive motor — Collin Murray-Boyles could be the next Raptor fan-favourite.

In just a couple of seasons, South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles evolved from a team contributor to a dominant force for the Gamecocks. After a solid freshman season in which he averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds, he returned as the cornerstone of the Gamecocks last season. The 6’8” forward put up 16.8 points, 8.3 boards, 2.4 dimes, and 2.8 steals while providing a solid two-way contribution.

Mock Draft Range​

Best rank: 6 / Worst rank: 28​

(Per Hoopshype’s Aggregate Mock Draft 7.0)

CMB’s Impact on South Carolina’s team​

Statistically, it was a significant leap for Collin Murray-Boyles (CMB). Still, the biggest leap occurred when he became not just a breakout star for South Carolina but also the engine behind the Gamecocks’ offense and defense. CMB carried South Carolina through a difficult year (12-20 overall, 2-16 SEC), and perhaps, one of the few prospects in this draft that can say, “I did it all.”

CMB did most of the scoring, rebounding, defending, facilitating, and setting the tone while playing heavy minutes on a bad South Carolina team. His exceptional production and stabilizing influence highlight his IQ, maturity, versatility, mentality, and overall NBA potential.

Collin Murray-Boyles scoring versatility summed up in 60 seconds. pic.twitter.com/WndgbsiHHd

— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) June 17, 2025​

CMB is mostly a mid-to-short-range operator; most of his shots in the half-court offense came with him making something happen from the elbow, short corner, low block, and dunker’s spot. He’s a dribble-pass-shoot triple-threat from these positions, but for the most part, he uses his crafty footwork, spin moves, strength, and soft touch to finish around the basket, especially through contact or against multiple defenders. CMB can also play the “roll man” or as the cutter from above the break, or at the very least, around the dunker’s spot. His FG% around the rim — approximately 74% is one of the best in the NCAA this past season among bigs, and this is a big deal because he was seeing double teams frequently and had to operate with limited spacing, as his teammates could not shoot.

CMB likes to facilitate at the elbow or short corner, and his 2.4 assists per game don’t justify how good his passing game is. He reads the floor well and is capable of making the right reads in hand-offs or hitting his teammates when they take the backdoor route. CMB will make quick, decisive actions on when to dribble/pass/shoot, and especially, how to counter the incoming double team.

You often don’t associate “effort” and “grit” with a young prospect, especially a 20-year-old prospect. CMB is a physical player; he embraces contact and won’t shy away from getting fouled, earning his points from the free throw line. CMB’s relentless energy on defense, his tenacity on the offensive end — especially generating second-chance points, and overall reliability make him one of the “can’t go wrong” prospects in this draft class.

Areas of Improvement for the future star​

Despite being one of the most productive and efficient bigs at the NCAA level this past season, Collin Murray-Boyles has a few limitations that impact his draft stock and could potentially limit his effectiveness and role at the NBA level.

In today’s NBA, perimeter shooting has become a critical skill for the “bigs.” Just look at how Brook Lopez reinvented and prolonged his career as a floor-spacing center. Undersized bigs who can’t shoot are often limited to a bench role unless they have a top-tier skill set (i.e. Rudy Gobert). That said, he’ll need to improve his perimeter shooting (26.5% 3P%) to keep the defense honest and to encourage the coach to play him with a center who is a non-shooter.

Collin Murray-Boyles spot-3 shooting drill at the NBA draft combine pic.twitter.com/qsqp53l0Jq

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025​

CMB will likely have to play as a big wing at the NBA level (full-time PF, maybe a part-time SF), as he’s too small to be a center. While he’s functionally strong and quick, he’s not an explosive athlete (vertically and laterally) that many undersized bigs often possess. That could also present a problem, as he’ll likely have to defend explosive wings or switch against the shifty guard at the next level.

CMB will also need to work on his “face up bag,” as he won’t be able to post up as often as he’s used to in South Carolina. Post-ups are getting phased out on most coaches’ playbooks, so CMB will have to reinvent his game at the NBA level.

How CMB fits with the Toronto Raptors​

Collin Murray-Boyles has a chance to be an NBA All-Defensive Team type of player.

An elite off-ball defender that has high defensive IQ, great awareness, impressive instincts and overall a great understanding on positioning.

On the ball he can defend multiple positions, very… pic.twitter.com/3NlbxwJbYB

— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) May 21, 2025​

Should the Raptors front office select Collin Murray-Boyles with their 9th pick, his energy, defensive versatility, toughness, IQ and maturity will make him a great addition to the team’s young bench. All of those qualities align with the franchise’s long-term direction and how coach Darko Rajakovic prefers his team to play on a nightly basis.

Coach Rajakovic’s defensive philosophy favours switch-heavy defensive schemes, especially from his guards, wings, and forwards. CMB should be switchable for at least three, if not four, positions on most nights. The Raptors coach also emphasizes connectivity on the defensive end, and CMB does a good job as a communicator as a defensive anchor for the Gamecocks. Overall, defensively, coach Rajakovic’s system suits smart, physical, and switchable defender like CMB. His length, mobility, defensive instincts, and strength should provide switchability, sound rotations, and a strong rebounding presence.

Offensively, coach Rajakovic’s system promotes ball and player movement, versatility, unselfishness, quick decision-making, and fluid reads. In a vacuum, CMB fits well with the Raptors’ offensive system. CMB thrives on cuts to the basket, rum runs, short-roll finishes, and being at the right place at the right time around the rim.

Known as one of the most physical and versatile defenders in college basketball, Collin Murray-Boyles was an offensive hub for South Carolina this season, demonstrating strong playmaking ability, unselfishness, and overall feel for the game. https://t.co/Tgd6UMOYEt pic.twitter.com/SaaLEk02nI

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 15, 2025​

If there is such a comparison, CMB projects similarly to what the team thought they could achieve on the floor with Thaddeus Young. The post-Sixers Young has a similar midrange-to-short-range game with CMB, but Young is a much better and willing perimeter shooter. However, it’s their elbow, DHO, and short-roll playmaking game that solidifies the similarity. Their combination of strength, basketball IQ, and solid decision-making as a connector aligns with Coach Rajakovic’s concept of allowing non-ball handlers to be involved in setting the table and playmaking.

Overall, CMB should project as someone who can and will try to shoot his perimeter shots when the opportunity presents itself. He may already be an upgrade over Jonathan Mogbo, but he might not be as reliable as a bench contributor, unlike Jamison Battle, a player that we know will come in and space for the team. If anything, he can be a change-of-pace curveball that coach Rajakovic can use when things are in a rut, as CMB’s effort and energy will be a given every time he’s on the floor. He’s not flashy and doesn’t have the hype, but every team needs someone like CMB —a winning player who brings effort, intensity, feel, and intelligence to the table.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/18...ck-rookie-south-carolina-collin-murray-bowles

 

[Toronto Raptors]

CEBL plays key role in developing basketball’s next stars

Photo by Ron Palmer/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

With countless Canada Basketball Alum having stints in the league, the CEBL’s role continues to be evident.

With the championship on the line tonight, it’s the perfect opportunity to dive deeper into one of the storylines that has been present throughout the last stage of the playoff run. For back-to-back years, there have been four Canadians playing in the finals. This year, three of those are starters.

While a fairly big moment for Canadian basketball, this hype has been building for years now. Some recent developments have demonstrated just how much the program is growing: A bronze medal in the summer of 2023, an appearance in the Paris Olympics, and another Canadian winning the NBA MVP. But while these moments take the spotlight, there’s a ton of work being done behind the scenes, without as much recognition.

Take for instance the 2023 FIBA World Cup bronze medal team. While most people can name many of the men on that roster, it would likely be more challenging to list those that actually helped Canada qualify for that tournament. In fact, the final victory that punched Canada’s ticket to FIBA was headlined by a team-leading 16-point performance from Kassius Robertson, along with the contributions of guys like Aaron Best, Kalif Young, Thomas Kennedy, Thomas Scrubb, and Owen Klassen. Although only 12 players made the roster for the actual World Cup, 31 players are listed as contributing to that medal run.

Photo by Ron Palmer/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The national program has progressed enough that we’re developing a ton of talent, and they’re going out and making us proud on the biggest stages. While there are truly countless people, players, coaches, support staff, trainers, parents, and supporters who have helped make this happen, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge one that has had a role in the last few years especially: The CEBL.

Every single one of the guys listed above who helped Canada qualify for the FIBA World Cup have also played in the CEBL. In fact, when looking at the 31-man roster, that list only gets longer. 18 of the players listed on the Canadian FIBA world cup roster from that year have, at one point, been an active CEBL player. If you start to look at other competitions over the years, the cross-over between the league and those who have represented Canada in competition gets even more significant.

Why?

The CEBL is designed to develop Canadian talent. On every team, 8 of the 12 players on an active roster must be Canadian. Moreover, two of the players on the floor must be Canadian at all times. While those seem like arbitrary rules, it prevents import players from taking priority spots on rosters or minutes in games. What those rules don’t do is soften the playing field. Since teams are able to have up to four import players on their active roster and 6 on their overall roster, players with NBA, G-League, and international experience from abroad help raise the level of competition. Players like Ahmed Hill, Cat Barber, Xavier Moon, and Khalil Ahmad are all examples of guys who have played huge roles in the league and have created a competitive environment for our own talent to thrive in.

Beyond developing current Canadian talent, the league also instituted a draft of post-secondary players starting with the league’s formation in 2019. At its inception, each team took two players from eligible university athletes. That has grown to a 3-round draft that incorporates both USPORTS and the CCAA. They are able to train and play alongside teammates with vast professional experience that they can take back to their respective programs to raise the bar internally as well.

While there are plenty of examples to choose from of Canadian talent that have played and developed in the CEBL, we can take a moment to look at the past, present and future of this synergistic relationship between our national team and league.

Lloyd Pandi first made his way into the CEBL through the draft in 2020, selected fourteenth overall by the Ottawa Blackjacks. A native of Ottawa, and already playing for the local Carleton University Ravens, he was fresh off a myriad of individual accolades including the Carleton MVP, OUA rookie of the year, and the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. He was named the CEBL’s U Sports Player of the Year before returning to Carleton to complete another award-winning season to collect a second U Sports championship. He proceeded to be drafted into the league again, now by the Niagara River Lions, winning the CEBL U Sports Player of the Year a second time. When he returned to the league on a regular contract, he spent a year in Niagara before returning to Ottawa where he led the league in steals and won Defensive Player of the Year. On the national stage, he was added to Canada’s 2022 AmeriCup roster after his first two seasons in the CEBL. He averaged almost 6 points and 3 rebounds in 19 minutes per game, helping the team place fourth in the tournament. Now, he continues to represent Canada on the international stage in the 2025 AmeriCup qualifiers.

Photo by Wang Tiancong/Xinhua via Getty Images

Thomas Kennedy boasts a similar success story, playing for the University of Windsor and collecting MVP, First-Team, and Player of the Year awards at a variety of levels. He was drafted three consecutive seasons into the CEBL starting in 2019 for his phenomenal post-secondary performances. He spent seasons with the Bandits where he won the 2022 CEBL U SPORTS Player of the Year award, the Honey Badgers, and with the 2023 Championship Shooting Stars team. Internationally, he played in the AmeriCup qualifiers in 2023 and now again in 2025.

Photo by Ron Palmer/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Kadre Gray played for Laurentian University and was drafted into the league in 2020 by the Honey Badgers. He returned to the league for 5 years, appearing in 72 games and becoming the CEBL Canadian Player of the Year in 2023 with the Blackjacks, averaging 16 points and leading the league with 6 assists per game. He was also on the roster for the 2023 AmeriCup Qualifiers, alongside Pandi and Kennedy.

Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images

It would be easy to continue. Brody Clarke, JV Mukama, David Muenkat, Aaron Rhooms, and Keevan Veinot are just a few more who have all been drafted by and played in the CEBL and have represented Canada on the international stage.

From here, the future just gets brighter. The unique opportunity to play with professionals and develop our national players can’t be overstated. At the start of the season, I had the opportunity to talk with James Derouin, the current GM of the Ottawa Blackjacks. As someone who’s been with the Blackjacks since their inception, led the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees since 2010 to become the winningest coach in school history, and served on the coaching staff on the U17 FIBA World Championships, his role with development of Canadian talent is obvious.

Photo by Sean Burges/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

When asked about “Developmental Player” contracts and the draft in the CEBL, he didn’t have enough good things to say. He talked about some of the Blackjack’s draftees this year, and the importance of how it helps players grow. He said their first round pick, Justin Ndjock-Tadjore “loves coming here” and that the other players “gas (him) up”. It’s an opportunity he wouldn’t get elsewhere, and helps him continue to develop his skills and confidence as a player.

While Justin is the only Blackjacks developmental player that made the final active roster, their other draftees and two Gee-Gees players still attend practices and games. Owen Kenny, who would “probably be the youngest guy at a training camp in the history of the CEBL” was an all-Canadian freshman whose skills and size fit the “national team profile”. His ability to shadow the Blackjacks and learn with them could be a huge asset as he looks towards his future in professional basketball.

In Niagara, Gatluak James is another developmental player who is one of only two players that have appeared in all of the River Lions’ games. To show up to the reigning champs and provide solid minutes is impressive enough, but he is actively carving out a role on that team.

While the CEBL continues to grow, its role in developing Canadian talent will undoubtedly continue. The best part is, we’re not even to the halfway mark of this season. As it continues, tune in to see a few of our current national team players like Prince Oduro, Quincy Guerrier, and Marcus Carr go toe-to-toe with some of Canada’s current and future national talent.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/22/24453775/canada-basketball-cebl-nba-talent-draft-rookie-signing

 

[Toronto Raptors]

2025 NBA Draft: Latest Toronto Raptors rumors and predictions

David Banks-Imagn Images

Updates on the Toronto Raptors 2025 NBA Draft predictions.

“There’s definitely interest in people trying to get our pick,” said Dan Tolzman, Assistant General Manager and VP, Player Personnel for the Toronto Raptors on Monday.

The pick he’s talking about is the Raptors’ No. 9 overall lottery pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft. A spot that the team fell to after being projected to draw the No. 7 pick at least in last month’s Draft Lottery. Still, if anyone knows how to pick a good player a little later in the draft, it’s this Toronto front office led by Masai Ujiri, General Manager Bobby Webster, and Tolzman.

In Tolzman’s Monday afternoon availability, he told the media that there is consensus around the league that the top 1-13 (the lottery) is a good batch of players. The team is planning to draft best available regardless of position, and have a pretty expansive group of players they are considering to pick at No. 9 should they be available.

In terms of the Raptors specific needs, there are a few things they could address in this draft. The highest area of need is their lack of dependable backup center, someone who can play under Jakob Poeltl, who the Raptors also happened to draft No.9 overall. Yet, if the player available at 9th isn’t a center, they will roll with it.

Of course Tolzman was not going to outright say who they were considered or even who they have worked out or met with. There is also a chance they pick someone who they haven’t worked out, like they did with Ja’Kobe Walter last year. The Raptors have a habit of going off-book with their picks sometimes.

Looking at Fanduel’s Draft Odds, Khaman Maluach of Duke is currently the player with the highest odds to be picked No. 9 overall (+250). After him is Noa Essengue (+470), someone who Raptors HQ’s JD Quirante says would fit great on a Masai-built Raptors team. Third in terms of odds is Carter Bryant (+490), followed by Derick Queen (+500).

Other prospects on our radar include Egor Demin out of BYU, who enters the conversation odds-wise at the No. 8 pick, where he is the 4th player most likely to get picked (+550) to the Brooklyn Nets. Another prospect the Raptors could look at? Collin Murry-Boyles out of South Carolina.

There is also the possibility that the Raptors make a late trade involving the No. 9 pick, which The Stein Line mentioned as a possibility weeks ago. In fact, in that drop, the Raptors pick was the “most likely to be traded ahead of the draft.” Of course, we’ve now seen the No. 10 pick be dealt in a trade, as it was a part of the deal to send Kevin Durant from Phoenix to Houston.

Personally, I don’t think the Raptors will trade for a higher pick in the draft. They seem to be happy with their prospects at No. 9, and the price seems too high to chance giving up some of their best assets just to move up a few spots. If the price is right, sure, but Masai’s price isn’t often the same as everyone else’s price.

As for the second round, Tolzman again seemed pleased with how the team was approaching the No. 39 pick. There was a discussion in the room about how NIL in college basketball has changed the landscape of picking players in the second round, and Tolzman commented on how they are seeing more older players and NBA-ready prospects. This is due to players’ decisions to stay in college longer to continue collecting NIL money, which can be higher than the base NBA salary at that point in the draft.

The Raptors know this experience well, after they traded for the 45th pick in the 2024 draft specifically to land Jamal Shead. Shead, who had played all four years of his college career at Houston, came to Toronto with a sense of maturity, heightened rookie skill, and the ability to take in information like a sponge. He flourished, becoming a fan favorite and solidfying his place on the team for this upcoming season as a back up point guard option behind Immanuel Quickley.

If the Raptors end up keeping the No. 39 pick, they will likely go that route again, picking someone who will fit in with the age group of the majority of the team. Especially given the guy they pick No. 9 overall will likely be younger.

As the seconds tick closer to the Dallas Mavericks being on the clock Wednesday night at 8 p.m., we will continue to track how the odds and rumors change around the Raptors’ lottery picks.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/23/24454330/nba-draft-odds-toronto-raptors-fanduel-lottery

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Toronto Raptors’ newest rookie sets record straight after controversial draft reaction

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

“It was just surreal,” said Collin Murray-Boyles after being drafted No. 9 overall by the Toronto Raptors.

The Toronto Raptors selected Collin Murray-Bowles No.9 overall tonight out of South Carolina, which shocked fans after many thought they would take Khaman Maluach. Seconds after his name was called, fans were shocked again when Murray-Boyles was seen on camera shaking his head while dropping an f-bomb:

Collin Murray-Boyles after getting drafted by the Raptors

“F*CK” pic.twitter.com/gRFYJ2HRnL

— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) June 26, 2025​

It immediately spread throughout the internet that the rookie must have been upset to land in Toronto. As someone who is hip with the youths, and knows that an f-bomb can mean anything from anger to sadness to pure joy, I wasn’t too worried about it. In every other interview immediately following his draft, Murray-Bowles seemed happy and excited to be drafted to Toronto.

Shortly after, he joined a Zoom call with media here in Toronto. It did not take any time at all for Sportsnet’s Michael Grange to ask the question: What did that reaction mean?

Murray-Boyles was honest: he was shocked and elated to be drafted to the Raptors, the first team that had worked him out.

“Just disbelief,” Murray-Boyles said over Zoom from Barclays Center, “Toronto was probably my first team that I worked out for. What I said was not a bad thing by any means. Just very thankful for it. That was like a surreal moment to hear my name called by this organization that has a good history and has really good players as of right now. It was just a crazy moment. Obviously thankful for the opportunity that they gave me.”

There you have it, nothing bad! Murray-Boyles went on to express his excitment at playing in a diverse and unique market like Toronto.

“I know how passionate the fans are, how diverse the city of Toronto is. To see that and to be around that environment on a daily basis is something that’s going to only make me a better player overall. That environment is amazing. The city is great,” He said.

“So just being there and it’s going to make me a better player, obviously lift my morale. It’s definitely a lot about just the team and me getting to know the team and trying to really be the best that I can for the team,” he finished with a smile.

Murray-Boyles is expected to come to Toronto in the coming days to be introduced to the organization and city. The Raptors still have the No. 39 pick in the draft, which they will make tomorrow at 8 p.m. as the Draft heads into Night Two.

As for tonight, Raptors’ GM Bobby Webster will speak to the media about Murray-Bowles at some point tonight.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/25...d-straight-after-controversial-draft-reaction

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Toronto Raptors draft Alijah Martin No.39 in the NBA Draft

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

With the 39th pick in the NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select Alijah Martin out of Florida.

With the sole second-round pick (for now) in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors have selected Alijah Martin out of Florida. Martin won a National Championship with Florida in 2025. He is a shooting guard, and while the Raptors need depth and shooting, Martin will likely start his pro career as a Raptors 905 guy.

Martin is described as a “dog” who plays tough-nosed defense, and has potential as a combo guard at this level. He has a ton of confidence and is a winner, obviously shown by the fact that he has a Natty. Martin is more of a shoot-first guy than a facilitator, but the Raptors need a guy who can get a bucket. If he can develop that skill, he could make his way up.

He is likely a future fan-favourite as an older guy who can speak publicly with ease and that confidence on the court also translates into her personality. His defence allows him to defend up a position or two, will win hustle plays, and addresses the team’s apparent need for a dawg.

The Raptors ended up making some late trades in the second round last year, getting Jamal Shead (No. 45) and Ulrich Chomche (No. 57) that night. They could end up making another move before the night is done. For now, though, they are done.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/26...s-draft-no-39-nba-draft-alijah-martin-florida

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Canada’s fresh-look team opens FIBA AmeriCup with dominance

Canada Basketball

Canada opens FIBA AmeriCup group play with a 100-34 win over El Salvador.

It’s a new chapter for the Canadian Senior Women’s basketball team, and they proved that in the first game of the FIBA AmeriCup.

After disappointing results at the Olympics last year, the team went through a “cultural reset” that included hiring a new coaching staff. At the helm of the program is Olympic Gold Medalist Coach Nell Fortner, who has experience, of course, at the international level, but also in the WNBA and in college. She’s an exciting leader for this team, given her winning experience, and just what this program needs to capitalize on the talent coming out of Canada these days.

As for the roster itself, the team is a mix of experienced and newer talent. Without any of their WNBA talent for this tournament, given that it’s right in the middle of the WNBA season, Canada still had no trouble assembling a deep and formidable roster.

Just listen to some of these accolades — 2025 La Liga MVP Kayla Alexander, Big-12 Freshman of the Year Delaney Gibb, Big-10 All-Freshman Syla Swords, 2025 West Coast Conference Player of the Year Yvonne Ejim. Add on Olympians Sami Hill and Shay Colley, along with NCAA standouts Phillipina Kyei, Shyanne Day-Wilson, Merrisah Russell, Tara Wallack, and international league players Niyah Becker and Emily Potter. Canada’s team is full of world-class players ready to win.

Canada was slotted into Group A for this tournament, along with El Salvador, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina. Four out of the five teams will make it to the knockout rounds, but seeding is especially important. Canada and Brazil (who have current WNBA players Kamilla Cardoso and Damiris Dantas on the team) are Group A favourites. In Group B, Team USA is the favourite to lead the group, joined by Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Puerto Rico. In order to avoid Team USA until the Gold Medal game, Canada will want to finish 1st overall in Group A.

They opened the tournament Saturday afternoon against El Salvador, showing off a well-rounded team effort and building upon many of the areas of improvement needed from 2024. Most notably, Canada’s three-point shooting was phenomenal against El Salvador, making 13 shots from distance as a team. The offence was well-rounded, and every single player on the roster scored in the game. Fortner made sure everyone’s legs stayed fresh by using her entire bench, something that will come in handy with 4 games in 5 days. While the rotations will likely shrink as the tournament progresses, this was a great chance for Fortner to test her options out and get to know her players in a competition setting.

In a 100-34 defeat, Canada’s offence was led by Tara Wallack, who scored 11 points in the game. Both Kayla Alexander and Sami Hill scored 10 points, and Delaney Gibb scored 9 points on 3/7 shooting from beyond the arc. Canadian standout Syla Swords scored 8 points, while Yvonne Ejim had a team-high 12 rebounds. Canada out-rebounded El Salvador 66-21, contributing to the number of second-chance opportunities they had to score.

A few weeks ago at training camp in Toronto, Nell Fortner told me that this team’s identity would flow through their defence, and that was on display today as well. On top of them crashing the glass, Canada had a great job of forcing El Salvador into shot clock violations and making them make rushed decisions offensively. They forced 16 turnovers onto El Salvador, and only allowed them to make 14 total field goals.

That 66-point differential will be major for Canada as they battle for the top spot in the group. Brazil will very likely play through Kamilla Cardoso in the post, and the more points they can score to expand the gap with Brazil, the better. Cardoso is a physical player with skilled footwork that allows her to score again and again under the basket, and Brazil will very likely rack up the points themselves.

Canada will be in action again on Sunday against Argentina at 2:10 pm. Games can be watched online on Courtside 1891. Here is Canada’s full schedule:

• Saturday June 28 vs El Salvador (W, 100-66)
• Sunday June 29 vs Argentina, 2:10 pm
• Monday June 30 vs Brazil, 2:10 pm
• Wednesday July 2 vs Dominican Republic, 5:40 pm

The quarter-finals will be on Friday, followed by semi-finals on Saturday and the medal games/finals on Sunday. It’s a quick turnaround, but Canada is confident in their chances of getting onto the podium.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/28...or-world-national-syla-swords-kayla-alexander

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Were Toronto’s NBA Draft moves genius or chaotic?

Photo by Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images

A post-mortem analysis of Toronto Raptors’ 2025 draft activity, in what ended up being Masai Ujiri’s final act.

Heading into the 2025 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors did what they’ve always done best: tune out the noise and zig exactly when everyone expected them to zag. While social media buzzed with mock drafts, rankings, and hot takes, Bobby Webster et al. weren’t about to let consensus rankings box them in. Instead, they kept their eyes on the prize—prioritizing and believing in their talent evaluation strategy- a relentless focus on defensive versatility, toughness, and winning players. Sure, the talking heads and the fanbase might’ve raised their eyebrows, but the Raptors front office didn’t flinch, staying true to their beat, dancing confidently to their own rhythm.

Despite rumours of potential trades, the Raptors decided to keep it old-school and just went ahead and drafted a player when it was their turn. However, selecting South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles with the 9th pick would have been more sensational had it not been for the Ace Bailey drama. But not to be outdone, “CMB” immediately went viral as soon as NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced his selection.

Read the body language of CMB (and the people on his table) as you may, but much like Bailey, CMB will be with the team that drafted him, and he’s the newest shiny Raptor toy for now. Toronto doubled down on the defense, toughness, and grit in the second round, picking up Alijah Martin, a shooting guard/safety who helped Florida become the Kings of March again. He was the 2nd best player on the Florida team, with a remarkable NCAA championship run led by Walter Clayton Jr.

The New Guys​

9th Pick - Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)​

Position: PF​

Age: 20​

Height: 6’6.5” (without shoes)​

Wingspan: 7’0.75”​

2024-25 Stats: 16.8 points (26.5% 3P%), 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks, 2.4 TO​

Collin Murray-Boyles' reaction to getting drafted is priceless pic.twitter.com/IeYd4bMxOm

— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 26, 2025​

If there’s a player tailor-made for the Raptors’ obsession with versatile defenders and high-IQ hoopers, it’s Collin Murray-Boyles. The South Carolina standout levelled up dramatically in his sophomore year, averaging 16.8 points and 8.3 boards while anchoring a scrappy defence—precisely the kind of gritty, switchable, team-first guy Toronto loves. Sure, the three-point shot (26.5%) still needs work. Still, with his motor, strength, and sneaky playmaking out of the short roll, CMB fits seamlessly into Darko Rajaković’s defensive ecosystem. He might not light up highlight reels immediately. CMB is precisely the steady, smart, glue-guy piece a winning team should have as part of their building blocks.

39th Pick - Alijah Martin (Florida)​

Position: SG​

Age: 23​

Height: 6’1.5” (without shoes)​

Wingspan: 6’7.5”​

2024-25 Stats: 14.4 points (35% 3P%), 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 TO​

Alijah Martin was a ZERO-STAR recruit out of High School.

He was just drafted 39th overall. pic.twitter.com/pXYrqaS4y1

— Florida Gators (@gatorsszn) June 27, 2025​

Martin plays like a linebacker in sneakers—guarding up, bullying mismatches, and skying for dunks. He brings defensive juice that shows up on film and in the boxscore: 1.5 steals per game, tireless ball pressure, and a willingness to crash the glass and dive on the floor like a man possessed. Offensively, he’s a microwave scorer with real pull-up equity, streaky but fearless from deep, and smart enough to keep the ball moving. Sure, at 6’1.5”, Martin is undersized for a true wing, and he’s not exactly a primary creator. But when you factor in his mentality, two-way motor, and pressure-tested DNA, you start to see the Raptors-y outline of a glue guy who could sneak into the rotation and stick. He’s not flashy—he’s a difference-maker. There’s a reason the Florida Atlantic Owls made it to the “big dance” twice, including a Final Four appearance, and the Florida Gators got the chip recently. He’s the common denominator. Martin is the type of gritty overachiever Masai Ujiri loves to find late in the draft while the rest of the league overthinks potential. Fitting this is the last player Ujiri will ever draft for the Raptors.

UDFA Two-Way Contract - Chucky Hepburn (Louisville)​

Position: PG​

Age: 22​

Height: 6’0.5” (without shoes)​

Wingspan: 6’4.5”​

2024-25 Stats: 16.4 points (32.8% 3P%), 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.4 steals, 3 TO​

Bellevue West graduate Chucky Hepburn announces he’s signing with the Toronto Raptors.

: Prodigy Sports Group@KETV | @TbirdEMPIRE | #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/sZriMAyv0U

— Matt Sottile (@MSottileTV) June 27, 2025​

Hepburn has legit floor-general vibes, a high-IQ defense-first point guard with strong playmaking and finishing skills in the halfcourt. He’s comfortable running an offense with the poise of someone who’s seen this movie a thousand times. His strength and fearless attitude let him finish through contact, armed with the ability to use every part of the board on his layups that could make Kyrie Irving proud.

Standing around 6’2” (with shoes) without impressive length, Hepburn is undersized by NBA standards. This, especially with the advent of jumbo point guards, limits his versatility on both ends. Still, he profiles perfectly as a disruptive two-way or backup PG. Hepburn can shoot, but he’s closer to being a streaky shooter than an active threat. The good thing is that he’s a much better shooter in catch-and-shoot situations. He’ll likely be Raptors 905-bound, have the keys to the team as the lead guard, and work on refining his shooting.

Summer League Roster Shaping Up​

The Summer League roster is also starting to shape up. Collin Murray-Boyles, Alijah Martin, and Chucky Hepburn should be a shoo-in there. Last year’s rooks, Jamal Shead, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamison Battle, and maybe Ja’Kobe Walter could also be there. Perhaps we’ll also see AJ Lawson, Colin Castleton, and Jared Rhoden on the lineup. Also, throw in Ulrich Chomche if he’s back from his injury. Boise State’s Tyson Degenhart and Alabama’s Cliff Omoruyi will also be joining the team on Exhibit-10 deals.

CMB - Right Pick, Wrong Fit?​

The most popular draft prospect attached to the Raptors is Duke’s Khaman Maluach. He’s a center and could potentially be Jakob Poeltl’s successor in the future. The other is Noa Essengue, who went straight to Toronto to work out for the Raptors before attending the draft the following day. Essengue is a high-upside mystery box wing and fits the raw “Vision 6’9” Raptors ethos.

After the consensus top five, the 2025 NBA Draft turned into “choose your own adventure” mode, and the Raptors went with Collin Murray-Boyles, a PF/C from South Carolina. While Murray-Boyles brings defense and defensive versatility to the team, the Raptors have once again doubled down on their Vision 6’9” that can’t shoot. CMB makes an awkward fit beside Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes.

Collin-Murray Boyles will be a success at the next level. CMB’s defensive versatility is just the beginning—what truly sets him apart is his natural feel for the game and consistent impact on winning. If his 3 ball continues to develop, you’re looking at a future All-Star pic.twitter.com/6pnCPyD6iw

— Savant Hoops (@SavantHoops) June 22, 2025​

However, the Raptors like CMB, with Raptors GM Bobby Webster confirming that they had him ranked higher than ninth internally. Per Webster, CMB’s got “Elite defense, versatile, good hands... he has a chance to be a really, really good defender in the NBA.” It’s worth noting that Toronto finished near the bottom in defensive rating last season, with the renewed defensive effort in the latter half of the season (albeit unnecessary).

I half-joking said to our RaptorsHQ group chat that the CMB draft is like me going to the Nike Factory outlet, picking up a nice pair of Nike Pegasus, knowing that I already have several runners for everyday use. Maybe I’ll like the newer technology on this new Pegasus better than my good, reliable “daily drivers.” Should I have taken that Air Jordan 39 on sale for 40% off?

It’s clear that the Raptors did not make a “big swing”—Maluach and Essengue were still on the board, which falls under the “big swing” category. CMB represents more of a well-calculated swing, considering that his floor is significantly higher than those two prospects. However, this side of the Raptors' internet is skeptical that CMB’s potential is more than that of an elite roleplayer if he can figure out his offense, especially his shooting.

Shifting Draft Philosophy​

The new additions—Collin Murray-Boyles, Alijah Martin, and Chucky Hepburn—have a few things in common: defense, toughness, grit, and making winning plays. Dawgs. It’s a continuing trend on how the Raptors’ front office has made decisions with their roster moves, especially with the young ones. Last season, the Raptors brought Jamal Shead, a dawg of a defender, and Ja’Kobe Walter, who showed last season that he’s not just a shooter after showing much better fight defensively, especially late in the season.

I guess watching the playoffs, especially the Indiana Pacers, showcased a shift in how the playoffs are played: fast and furious and littered with difference-makers. Players like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith were the Pacers’ X-Factor, and their winning plays got them to the NBA Finals. CMB and Martin look like they’re tailor-fit for how the Pacers play, especially defensively and in making winning plays on both ends of the floor. With Ujiri moving the team’s timeline forward with the Brandon Ingram acquisition, the additions of CMB and Martin put the Raptors team on notice that the team will need to compete and compete hard on a nightly basis. It’s a big departure from taking big swings on Vision 6’9” projects that are more of an upside-swing/mystery box type of players like Scottie Barnes, Dalano Banton, Precious Achiuwa, and Isaac Bonga, to name a few.

During the season-exit interview, Ujiri said, “Wherever we fall, we are going for the best talent available.” Well, the “best talent available” is no longer about pure upside for Toronto. The ceiling is definitely considered, but the team’s been valuing players who could be difference-makers. If the Raptors can find a difference-maker AND still be seen as having a good or high ceiling, that prospect will sit near the top of their board over the “big swing mystery boxes.”

Talent Acquisition vs Roster Building​

Masai Ujiri on the Raptors identity for the season: “I would use the word rebuilding. That’s right word. We have a clear path going forward. Young team. Growing team… I think everybody sees that loud and clear.” pic.twitter.com/cb9OSLJWdO

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) September 30, 2024​

Rebuilding is pushing the reset button and demolishing the existing infrastructure to be able to start over. It often coincides with losses, futility, and the growing pains of watching a bad, young team grow throughout a few seasons.

The front office teased the Raptors fanbase about that notion after jettisoning key players, including the coach, from the #WeTheChamps era. Understandably, the team lost its DNA, and it looked primed for tanking—an essential piece to a rebuild to acquire high-level draft prospects. However, the team gradually pivoted from a patient multi-year approach to acquiring young, cheap prospects. It started bringing in good but unproven talents that became expensive pretty fast because the team had to pay them. It’s confusing, but if you go back to what Assistant GM Dan Tolzman and GM Bobby Webster have said in recent pressers, there’s one term that’s flown under the radar:

Talent Acquisition

Talent Acquisition in sports involves gathering as much talent as possible, regardless of roster fit and the team’s positional needs. The focus is on how the team sees long-term potential and how it fits with the vision. This is when you draft another power forward despite having that position termed “bases loaded.” Talent Acquisition could also be loading up the keg with ammos so that when you have to make a move, you have options regarding trade pieces coming in all shapes of talent, position, and salary.

"We're still in talent acquisition mode, big picture so we're not too worried about his position as we try to find talent," Bobby Webster.

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) June 26, 2025​

Make no mistake—the team moved the goalpost so that they are in a position to compete for a postseason spot, but the roster is not optimal. Perhaps the team will move into “roster-building mode” this summer, as the team has accumulated tradeable assets from the talent acquisition they’ve done over the past year or two. Perhaps a trade or two, or even some mid-level signing, can address the team’s needs and overall gaps in skill set. The team said they would address the backup center position one way or another, whether through the draft or moves this summer. That’s something that Ujiri said during his exit interview, which was further echoed by Webster recently.

This is what Raptors assistant GM Dan Tolzman told us about the team's takeaways from watching the playoffs, and The Finals in particular, the other day. Seems especially relevant now. Defensive mindset. Mental toughness. Collin Murray-Boyles fits that criteria. pic.twitter.com/U5oJLbkehA

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 26, 2025​

Final Thoughts​

The draft picks themselves are at least A- in a vacuum. After VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, and Tre Johnson, there’s a range of around 15 where they could go in any order. In fact, if, let’s say, someone like Derik Queen gets picked early, or in the Brooklyn Nets’ case, drafting Egor Demin 8th overall, I would not put up a fight, and it would be easy to justify the selection to me, especially in a vacuum. There are several “big swings” in the lottery — from Jeremiah Fears, Egor Demin, Khaman Maluach, Noa Essengue, Carter Bryant, etc. There are only a handful of players in this group with a floor that’s a late lottery level type that can play right away, such as Derik Queen, Kon Kneuppel, Thomas Sorber, and CMB, to name a few. I embrace the CMB selection, even though it wasn’t my preference (I would rather go for the big swing), but I do question the fit simultaneously. However, as the front office said, this team is in “Talent Acquisition” mode. I wouldn’t worry about the fit until I see what we have, entering the training camp. At the end of the day, personally, I would put CMB as a B+ to A- type of talent, but the fit is closer to C+.

From here, Raptors are pretty limited in free agency.

Barring a trade, they're a bit over the tax and just below the first apron (due to unlikely incentives that count for apron purposes).

Looking mostly at minimums contracts unless they shed some $$.

— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) June 27, 2025​

There are so many ways to “skin the cat.” It appears that either the Raptors front office and/or the ownership doesn’t have the patience to be stuck in irrelevancy as part of the painful process of trusting the rebuilding process, much like how the OKC Thunder went through (hey, it worked for them!). This FO is playing the middle — rebuilding from the middle, shuffling resources like a staffing agency in talent acquisition mode, in the hopes of finding the right mix that will bring the team back to relevancy and “win another championship.” I admire the bold move — bringing in difference-makers that will probably affect the team’s roster development and culture behind what we see in the camera. We have collected a bunch of “dawgs” now, I’m afraid the Memphis Grizzlies might sue the team for stacking up too much “grit and grind” players. However, as the Raptors are stacking up players who can’t shoot, they probably need to invest not just in the highest tier of the Noahlytics System subscription but also be armed with a platoon of skills and shooting coaches to put players like Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles in a position to succeed.

Lastly, Vision 6’9” is a noble idea and not necessarily flawed — it’s the Raptors’ front office’s flawed execution of their vision. Whether it’s the past talent acquisition, not having the developmental runway, or perhaps both. However, the team could’ve simplified this process had they tanked for Victor Wembanyama and/or Cooper Flagg instead.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/28/24456960/toronto-raptors-draft-analysis-grades-react-deals

 

[Toronto Raptors]

MLSE CEO provides reasoning for firing Masai Ujiri

Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

MLSE CEO Keith Pelley spoke to media Friday afternoon after the announcement that Masai Ujiri was out.

After the announcement broke that Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors had parted ways, MLSE (the company that owns the Raptors, Maple Leafs, Argonauts, and TFC) made their CEO, Keith Pelley, available. It was a strange, solemn event, and as much as Pelley was trying to keep it fairly light/transactional, it was hard to get past the haze of discomfort that was palpable.

That’s to be expected when a franchise loses its Giant, its heart and soul, and its leader. The effects of the Raptors losing Ujiri will be felt immediately, but his legacy will be remembered from the fond memories of how he took an underdog city and turned it into an epicentre of culture and pride.

We’ll get into the feelings and upset as we process the end of the Masai Ujiri chapter, but the purpose of this post in particular is to recap the press conference. To do that, I think it’s most efficient to lay out the bullet point takeaways of Pelley’s 20-minute conference at Scotiabank Arena.

• It’s evident from Pelley’s remarks that Masai Ujiri knew this was coming. There was no big blowout fight, no implosion of the makeup of this front office. Pelley was clear that there had been ongoing discussions between him and Ujiri about the future of their partnership. Ujiri likely would have been open to extending his contract, which was set to expire in one year. From the dissolution of the partnership, it seemed like Pelley was not interested in that. All of this has been reported on in the past year or so. With the changes happening at MLSE, most notably the departure of Larry Tanenbaum from ownership and leadership, there has been a disalignment between MLSE and Ujiri. It’s been clear for years that Ujiri worked with Tanenbaum the most out of all of them, so without him, there wasn’t a staunch Ujiri advocate in the room.

MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley asked if Masai Ujiri’s departure was his decision or an Edward Rogers decision:

“This was my decision supported by the board.” pic.twitter.com/pP831eDBoQ

— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) June 27, 2025​

• Last time Ujiri’s contract was renewed a few years ago, and it was clear from reporting by Doug Smith that there were some among the MLSE board who thought they were overpaying for Ujiri. Again, it seemed to be Tanenbaum who created a compromise for both sides. With Ujiri eligible for a contract extension again now, the highly revered NBA executive would have wanted a (deserved) raise. Add on the fact that the Raptors team has been in a rebuild, there haven’t been results (aka playoff runs), and MLSE (like the entire world) is figuring out how to cut costs, moving on now makes sense in a way. The Raptors want to contend next year, and firing your president/just not renewing his contract looks worse after a successful year than after you just picked in the lottery.
• Masai Ujiri decided for himself when his last days would be. Pelley said this move had been confirmed nearly a month ago, but Ujiri thought it was best he leave after the NBA Draft. In a way, he ensures continuity for the front office, coaching staff and players. This info also makes it clear that the separation was as amicable as possible. Ujiri still wanted the best for this franchise, a reality that twists the knife a little more.

MLSE president Keith Pelley says Masai Ujiri asked to delay a potential departure towards after the draft pic.twitter.com/AiFi4Y7uJL

— William Lou (@william_lou) June 27, 2025​

• MLSE appears to not only want to save money on their President’s contract, but may want to have a bit more control over the Raptors as a team. Not only will a new, first-time team president cost them less money, but they will have more ability to mould the next president. Ujiri, as mentioned, is a Giant. He carries an aura that makes you want to follow him, and he’s grown into a fierce and independent leader. A board of (to call it what it is) suits with no basketball experience isn’t going to tell him how to run his basketball team. They may be able to do that for someone ‘greener’.
• The team will now look for a new president. Unlike their plan for the Toronto Maple Leafs, which includes not having a president for the team, Pelley plans to hire a Raptors President. He described Ujiri’s replacement as someone “who has big shoes to fill” and also used terms like “established businessman.” Not to get too into semantics, but guess that means they are overlooking female candidates, haha.
• Pelley used the word “stability” a lot, which was odd. He described this as the right time to make the move because they knew they had stability with Bobby Webster, with the current roster of players they have (including no free agents to negotiate with next week), and with Darko Rajakovic and his staff. Yet, moving on from the culture-setter of your franchise, mid-way through a rebuild, does not read as stable. If they wanted to do it, they were going to do it, but the team doesn’t feel too stable.

I asked MLSE CEO Keith Pelley what sort of legacy he’s planning to leave on the organization, having already made several key personnel changes:

“I don’t believe in legacy for myself. I believe legacy is for the likes of Winston Churchill and Shakespeare.”

Full answer: pic.twitter.com/h6zNHt2mbF

— Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) June 27, 2025​

• Bobby Webster is a candidate for the President's job. It makes sense, and it’s a good move in theory. You ensure continuity in operations with Webster taking on the reins, as he was recruited and trained by Ujiri himself. Webster’s philosophies, goals, and ideas for the team are all the same as Ujiri’s — yet Webster’s contract would be cheaper. It ensures you don’t change much, while on paper, everything changes.
• Many of the other specific questions asked in the presser were not answered. One that stood out to me was when Doug Smith asked, “What will a new president have that Masai Ujiri did not?” That was a great way of contextualizing this whole thing. There was no firm answer to the question, but the question itself was enough. We can all theorize on reasons this partnership between Masai and MLSE didn’t pan out, but none of them were that he isn’t a good leader.
• We are entering a new chapter of this franchise, culturally, and there is no way to be prepared for what’s next. No more Masai, which means this team will no longer have an affiliation with Giants of Africa (a devastating loss in itself). NBA TV Canada programming is being gutted, no more Raptors Today and many other forms of the content fans enjoy (Open Gym seems to be safe for now). Prices to get into games continue to rise, which comes with its own set of struggles. The little slashes have been seen everywhere, if you’re looking. Recession indicator? Sure. Yet, there is also something to be said about 13 years of culture building at risk of being eradicated. The culture of this franchise is within the fans, within the heart of a diverse city, and until this morning, was linked to the business ventures of a basketball team through a leader who had shared values with the people who love the team. There was a balance between mind and soul. Take away the cultural heartbeat of the team, lose that connection to the fans and risk turning a phenomenon of sport into a corporate money machine.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/27/24457359/toronto-raptors-masai-ujiri-mlse-fired-keith-pelley-nba

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Masai Ujiri is OUT as Raptors President

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Per ESPN, Masai Ujiri has parted ways with MLSE and will no longer serve as President and Vice Chairman of the team.

Breaking news from Shams this morning — Masai Ujiri is out of the Toronto Raptors organization.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Masai Ujiri have decided to part ways, as Ujiri was entering the final year of his contract, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/PtCKLdJvxC

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2025​

Masai had one year left in his contract, and despite rumblings of tensions between him and MLSE’s top members, on the outside, everything looked fine. When Masai spoke to the media after the 2024-25 season had concluded, he was excited about the future of the team and the prospects they were building.

Yet, this seemed to be the path we were heading on, regardless. With Larry Tanenbaum on the way out of MLSE, and rumours of the others not being bought in on the Masai Ujiri experience, the end of a golden era in Raptors history was near.

The one thing that is off seems to be the timing. A few sources have been whispering about this for weeks, but of course, no one is going to trust anyone until it happens. To do this, the day after the NBA draft, after Masai just spent two days at OVO picking the team’s newest players... not a good way to welcome people into the organization.

Masai was seen at OVO on Wednesday night, celebrating the decision to bring Collin Murray Boyles to the team. Now, not even 48 hours later, he’s gone.

Ujiri was instrumental in the Raptors' 2019 championship and the growth of this franchise from small-market chump to global leader and changemaker. We will update more on the situation as it comes out.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/27/24457097/masai-ujiri-raptors-president-mlse-news-breaking

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Why Masai Ujiri’s departure feels like a gut punch for Raptors fans

Sergio Estrada - USA TODAY Sports

Masai was much more than just a winning general manager and strategic mastermind. He was the beating heart of the franchise.

Raptors fans are grappling with the departure of Masai Ujiri from his role as President of the Toronto Raptors. What is especially unsettling about his exit is the cold, corporate feel behind it, seemingly driven by cost savings and politics.

Back in 2021, Doug Smith published an article for the Toronto Star outlining a storyline that could have been ripped from the TV show ‘Succession’. Ed Rogers, executive chairman at Rogers Communications, had reportedly told his partners he felt “[Masai’s] compensation was too high” and argued that “The Raptors could be managed with Ujiri’s help by the existing general manager Bobby Webster”. Doug further noted, “Rogers called Ujiri and told him he wasn’t worth the money he was being paid. The NBA source said the call left Ujiri feeling so angry and disrespected by Rogers that he considered taking a year off as president.” Later, it was revealed that the Rogers camp also tried to block a WNBA team from coming to Toronto.

Many of us have grown accustomed to the effects of late-stage capitalism, oligopolies, and rising prices in our daily lives. We’ve seen what happens when new leadership comes in and leans heavily towards short-sighted cost-cutting at the expense of the long-term organizational health and culture. The Raptors were fortunate enough to have a leader who prioritized his players, his staff, the fans and the community. A leader who shielded the organization from heavy-handed cost-cutters. And he, in turn, was reportedly shielded by Larry Tanenbaum and MLSE minority partners in the boardroom.

But on June 5th, Rogers received all necessary league approvals to buy Bell’s MLSE stake. Yesterday, MLSE CEO Keith Pelley was asked directly when Ujiri was told he was done with the Raptors. Pelley replied, “We talked earlier, at the beginning of this month.” They really didn’t waste any time, did they?

In life, things are not black and white. There is undoubtedly a plethora of stories from all parties involved, both good and bad, that we are not privy to. But narratives form, even if they might sometimes be misguided or contrived.

However, we’ve seen this movie play out in majority-owned Toronto sports before. Alex Anthopoulos, who built a contender with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015, similarly reportedly left because he felt his autonomy threatened by new leadership. Anthopoulos’ successors — Shapiro and Atkins (aka Shatkins) — rode the coattails of players Anthopoulos brought in to the ALCS in 2016. Since then, they have won 0 (!) wild-card or playoff games and remain firmly at the helm.

Masai was a charismatic, genuine leader and a true role model for everyone involved. He inspired trust and belief. He was courageous and willing to challenge the consensus, whether it be with an off-the-board draft pick, a new team style, or a new coach. He wasn’t afraid to yell “**** Brooklyn” before facing them in a playoff series, nor was he hesitant to show his emotions when reflecting on Dikembe Mutombo’s untimely passing or on the decision to trade DeMar DeRozan.

If you’ve been following the Raptors for a while, you know he was the best GM and President the Raptors have ever had by a country mile. Here are some other statements I don’t think are hyperbolic:

• He’s the best GM any Toronto team has seen in my millennial lifetime
• Under his tenure, he was hugely responsible for the value of the team appreciating by Billions (with a B) of dollars
• He did more for the sport in Canada than any player ever did, Vince Carter included
• He did more for the sport in Africa through Giants of Africa than anyone could have foreseen

Oh, and he won the only title by a Canadian team in the big four North American sports since 1993. Other contributions include bringing a WNBA team to Toronto, co-chairing the NBA’s Social Justice Coalition and spearheading the construction of the OVO Athletic Center. Talk about footnotes.

Before Masai, the Raptors were perennial losers firmly implanted in the dregs of the NBA. We had won just one playoff series in almost 20 years of existence. Other highlights from that time frame included a single win against the 60-8 Bulls in 1996, some admittedly nasty Vince Carter dunks and a 13-game run where Bargnani averaged 23.5 points per game.

In an attempt to turn the Raptors’ ship, MLSE brought in Tim Leiweke, who in turn lured Masai away from the Denver Nuggets to become our General Manager. Ujiri quickly flipped Rudy Gay into several contributing pieces, and the 2013-2014 Raptors made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. It was a mostly steady progression until 2019, but they were ultimately unable to break through the ceiling that LeBron James provided. Then, the 2019 Championship that Hollywood couldn’t have scripted much better. And a reputation around the league for winning the right way.

He and now-GM Bobby Webster’s performance has been a mixed bag since the championship, to be sure. And Rogers has expressed their commitment to Webster, a protégé of Masai’s. However, Webster will need to apply for the President role — a process that could prove awkward if he’s ultimately passed over and expected to report to the person selected instead.

Ujiri could have left after he was informed in early June, but he chose to continue until after the draft. Masai’s fingerprints are all over the organization, and my guess is that he was determined to build a culture resilient enough to fight the good fight long after his departure. Masai will continue to make an impact, whether it be in another GM or president role, or perhaps in a position he feels he can have an even bigger influence. And while my Raptors fandom won’t wane, I’ll also have a new team or organization to root for when Masai decides where he’s needed most.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/6/30/24457808/masai-ujiri-toronto-raptors-president-championship

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors sign free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili

Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images

The center position will be in good hands next season as the Raptors add “Mamu”

The Raptors have officially entered the chat in terms of the free agency market!

Only a few minutes ago, news broke that the Raptors have agreed to a deal with Sandro Mamukelashvili.

The two-year deal is worth $5.5 million, with a player option in the second year.

Free agent F/C Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, plus a second year player option, sources tell ESPN. George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports negotiated the new deal with the Raptors. pic.twitter.com/4GWqWrdVUm

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025​

Standing at 6’9”, Mamukelashvilli or “Mamu” as he is often referred to by fans, is a reliable big man who will be an excellent second option behind Poeltl in the lineup, shoring up a shortage in that position that has been an issue for the Raptors over the last couple years.

Mamu made his start in the league with the Milwaukee Bucks on a two-way contract and spent a year and a half there before making his way to San Antonio. He has continuously improved his scoring and shooting efficiency, and looked impressive in the final games of the season as San Antonio embraced a tanking season. In April alone he averaged almost 10 points and 5 rebounds per game in only 19 minutes of action.

On the Raptors, he should fit in seamlessly. He isn’t seen as an elite rim protector, but is versatile enough that he can guard his man down low effectively. He can score from a variety of spots on the floor, finishing above league average around the basket, or from anywhere beyond the arc. He has the ability to initiate beyond the perimeter and is also continuously improving his shooting to help space the floor. Last year, he improved his 3-point shooting to 37%, up almost 10% on twice the volume from the prior year.

With the passing and ball movement ability of the current roster and offensive scheme, his ability to roll and be a threat off-ball should help create plenty of scoring opportunities.

If you are unfamiliar with his game, the highlights of his 34-point performance from March should be the first thing you check out:

THE MAMU NIGHT.

• 34 PTS
• 7/7 3PT
• 13/14 FG
• 19 MINS

THE MOST PTS IN NBA HISTORY WITH LESS THAN 20 MINS PLAYED. pic.twitter.com/8gl9hsUluI

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) March 20, 2025​

For those of you who are already familiar with his game, this signing won’t seem surprising at all. In fact, even among our RaptorsHQ staff (looking at you JD) this has been anticipated for a while..

Sandro Mamukelashvili to Toronto, pls make it happen

— JD Quirante (@jdkeyrants) July 30, 2021​

Either way, this is an excellent first step for the Raptors in the free agency market to solve one of the bigger issues in their depth chart. Although unexpected, it is definitely a welcome surprise and we can’t wait to see him suit up.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/7/1/24459891/raptors-sign-free-agent-sandro-mamukelashvili

 

[Toronto Raptors]

What will the Toronto Raptors look like with their mystery star?

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Brandon Ingram has been a Raptor since February, but has yet to play a single minute. What does this team look like when he’s on the court?

The uncertainty of the 2025 NBA Draft has de-materialized. But what emerged on the other side of the abyss was something jarring, even in comparison to hunting for prospects. Masai Ujiri is gone, but his thought process remains stamped on the roster.

And perhaps no other decision is more significant to the future of the Toronto Raptors than the one Ujiri made twenty weeks ago when he traded for Brandon Ingram.

General manager Bobby Webster is now tasked with completing the puzzle left by his predecessor - what exactly does a Raptors team featuring Brandon Ingram look like?

Ingram has yet to take the court for the Raptors, but he’ll forever be anchored to whatever Ujiri and Co. were mapping out. With the ninth overall pick, the front office selected Collin Murray-Boyles. And while Murray-Boyles could be a defensive mastermind, his bully-connector offensive archetype further clouds Ingram’s ideal lineup composition.

The Raptors are ready to launch the next phase of the re-tool. With ‘player development’ sliding down the list of priorities, the season will ultimately be judged on what Ingram and his carnival of scoring tools look like in a Raptors jersey - and how many wins it leads to.

Sample size rules the sports world, particularly for a player embarking on his 10th season. Let’s venture out of the familiar confines of the Raptors’ locker room and explore three of Ingram’s best seasons.

2019-2020

New Orleans Pelicans (30-42, 13th in the Western Conference)

Ingram: 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks, 46.3 FG%, 39.1 3P%

PG: Lonzo Ball

SG: Jrue Holliday

SF: Brandon Ingram

PF: Derrick Favors

C: Zion Williamson

Bench: Josh Hart, JJ Redick

Despite the pandemic cutting the 2019-2020 campaign short, Ingram finished what is still one of his healthiest and encouraging seasons to date. The Duke product played in 62 of 72 games and had a career-high in usage and three-point percentage. Ingram also secured his lone All-Star nod and the league’s Most Improved Player award.

Not only was this Ingram’s first season with the Pelicans, but it was also Zion Williamson’s rookie year. However, New Orleans had Williamson on load management, and it resulted in a career-low in usage (30.3), minutes (27.8) and field-goal attempts (15.0).

It’s easy to compare Williamson and Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes. While Barnes received the greenest-of-lights to get up shots in the last two seasons, the 2021 Rookie of the Year has always been at his best attacking the rim. In 2019, Zion attempted nearly 75 per cent of his shots within three feet. By comparison, Ingram took 24.8 per cent of his shots in the same area.

Conceptually, this iteration of the Pelicans had poor spacing on the floor. The frontcourt duo of Derrick Favors and Williamson combined for 33 per cent from deep on just seven made attempts. Guards Lonzo Ball (37.5 per cent on 6.3 attempts) and Jrue Holliday’s (35.3 per cent on 5.7 attempts) perimeter shooting profile best matches what Immanuel Quickley (37.8 per cent on 6.8 attempts) and RJ Barrett (35.0 per cent on 5.3 attempts) looked like last season. Even with the lack of prolific shooters on the floor, the 2019 Pelicans finished seventh in both three-point attempts (36.9) and percentage (37.0 per cent) due to bench snipers like JJ Redick and Josh Hart. It also didn’t hurt that Ingram shot 39.1 per cent, the highest mark of his career.

2022-2023

New Orleans Pelicans (42-40, ninth in the Western Conference)

Ingram: 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks, 48.4 FG%, 39 3P%

PG: CJ McCollum

SG: Brandon Ingram

SF: Herb Jones

PF: Trey Murphy

C: Jonas Valanciunas

BENCH: Jose Alvarado, Josh Richardson, Naji Marshall, Larry Nance Jr.

Note: Zion Williamson only played 29 games

The 2022-23 season is arguably Ingram’s best statistical stretch as a pro, with a career-high in points (24.7) and assists (5.8). He also shot 39 per cent from three and played 34.2 minutes per game, both the second-most in his career.

During this time, Ingram was in the middle of redefining his shot profile, finishing with 3.6 three-point attempts per game, a personal low during his Pelicans tenure. There’s a correlation between Ingram re-visiting his bread-and-butter and Williamson being limited due to injury. Ingram averaged two three-point attempts per game in Los Angeles before expanding his distance in New Orleans (6.2 per game in his first two seasons).

Without Williamson, Ingram led all forwards in usage and not only cemented his playstyle as a mid-range maestro, but also used his newfound gravity to elevate the shooters around him. Per Cleaning the Glass, Ingram finished in the 98th percentile in assist percentage for small forwards. His team also finished second in percentage of assisted three-point makes.

The addition of former Raptor Jonas Valanciunas resulted in a facelift on both sides of the court. Valanciunas discovered his shooting stroke with the Memphis Grizzlies, and that carried over to the Pelicans. Gone was the grim collection of shooting bigs like Williamson, Steven Adams, Willy Hernangomez, and Jaxon Hayes. This change helped push Ingram away from the three-point line and into his mid-range comfort zone.

2023-2024

New Orleans Pelicans (49-33, seventh in the Western Conference)

Ingram: 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, 49.2 FG%, 35.5 3P%

PG: CJ McCollum

SG: Brandon Ingram

SF: Herb Jones

PF: Zion Williamson

C: Jonas Valanciunas

BENCH: Trey Murphy, Dyson Daniels, Naji Marshall, Jose Alvarado, Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Hawkins

Spreadsheet-ball has its merits, both with cataloguing the past and predicting the future, but the most valuable stat is always the number of wins at the end of the season. For Ingram, the 2023-2024 season stands above the rest. He was on the court for 38 wins, and the Pelicans finished the regular season with 49 victories - both career-bests.

Like the 2022-2023 roster, this version of the Pelicans was a deep team that shot efficiently and pestered opponents defensively. The starting lineup deployed a combination of athleticism and length that frustrated teams, before doubling down with a bench that overwhelmed the opposition with a horde-like mentality. New Orleans finished sixth best in defensive rating and third in steals per game. Last year, the Raptors were the definition of a middle-of-the-pack team, with a 15th-ranked defensive rating and 16th in steals.

While Ingram didn’t hop into the backseat of the Pelicans’ offence, he did slot into a specific role in a three-pronged attack. Despite taking the fewest shots per game (15.9) since his time with the Lakers, Ingram still finished with 20.8 points per game. With Williamson (22.9) and McCollum (20.0), the Pelicans became the only team in the NBA with a trio of 20-point scorers.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/7/2/...brandon-ingram-analysis-lineups-bobby-webster