How Raptors first-round draft pick Collin Murray-Boyles fits in Toronto
No. 9 overall selection is a disruptor who could be best defender in draft, but shooting progress will determine overall potential.
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Collin Murray-Boyles cleared up his viral reaction to being drafted by the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday and now it’s time to clear up how he should fit on the team starting next season.
Murray-Boyles, the former South Carolina star considered by some as the best off-ball defender in the draft, chiefly brings that skill to the table.
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How Raptors first-round draft pick Collin Murray-Boyles fits in Toronto Back to video
Toronto will prioritize aggressive, disruptive defensive schemes and Murray-Boyles is an ideal fit in that regard. A master of blowing up plays with steals and deflections, Murray-Boyles should complement Scottie Barnes, who at times last year flashed all-defensive potential.
He can also maintain some of the disruptive qualities Barnes provides when the team’s star is resting on the bench.
Raptors assistant general manger Dan Tolzman had said earlier this week that the team was looking for players who would be able to thrive in the playoffs when things get more physical. They want strong and smart players and Murray-Boyles is both. His defensive IQ is considered top level, he’s a great competitor and a hard worker.
It’s less clear how he fits on the other end, but head coach Darko Rajakovic likes multi-skilled players who can make quick decisions and Murray-Boyles fits the bill there as well.
Perhaps they try to let him bully small forwards or out-quick centres at times, even if power forward is his natural spot.
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“I think at the defensive end, he can guard all over,” Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said after the draft’s first round. “What’s the natural fit on the offensive end? I think we’ll see. I think he handles the ball well. He does a lot of things. You see sort of Darko does in his offence: Dribble handoffs, sort of operate from the top, pass well. So we think he fits sort of on both ends.”
The long-time Toronto GM said they had Murray-Boyles ranked higher than where he went (as did many draft evaluators in the public sphere).
“We had our eye on him going into the season. Elite defence, versatile, good hands. He has a chance to be a really, really good defender in the NBA.”
On offence, shooting will be the swing skill for Murray-Boyles, the difference between Toronto getting a decent starter, a strong reserve or a potential high-impact starter.
While he led the SEC in field goal and effective field goal percentage, Murray-Boyles almost exclusively got two-point buckets, only attempting 34 three-pointers in 32 games, making just 26.5% of them. Keep in mind the NCAA three-point line is closer than the NBA one, so there’s lots of work to be done on his outside shooting.
Murray-Boyles told us he has been working extremely hard on his jump shot and now will get into the Toronto system, which has had some success in the past (most notably recently with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby and, to some degree, with Barnes, though he took several steps backward there last season). He already went from just five three-point attempts as a freshman to one or so per game as a sophomore.
At present, even without the shooting threat, Murray-Boyles puts lots of pressure on opponents because of how quickly he processes the game and how well he uses his size and strength. He generates a lot of free throws and gets to the rim easily. If he gets a bit leaner and more explosive, those strengths should only improve.
Murray-Boyles believes he can deliver on whatever Rajakovic requires of him.
“My whole career I’ve been to adapt to certain play styles, regardless,” he said. “If that’s a shooter, a non-shooter, that’s something that’s been pivotal for me. Just figuring out a place to stand out on the floor … I’m really just trying to get to that point where (his jump shot is) consistent,” Murray-Boyles said.
“I’m confident with it as of right now, very confident about it. It’s a different feeling. It’ll definitely open up my game and help my team obviously in the long run.”
He’s excited to be teaming up with players of high calibre like Barnes and Brandon Ingram, too.
“They understand what it takes to be successful in a league like this,” he said.
“Just trying to learn as much as possible early on … Something with me is I’ve been a role player, I’ve been a guy coming off the bench and I’ve been the guy. I’ve had it all.
“So, whatever the coach needs me to do, especially early on. I’m just trying to find my role as quick as possible and help the team win.”
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