There is a pretty simple question surrounding Collin Murray-Boyles entering his second NBA season: how high can his ceiling actually be?
Selected ninth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Murray-Boyles entered Toronto with plenty of intrigue. At 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, he is undersized for a traditional center, but his strength, physicality and instincts allow him to play much bigger than his frame suggests.
After an encouraging rookie season, the Raptors now have a better idea of what they have in their
young forward.
What Did He Do Last Year?
Murray-Boyles averaged 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 57.9 percent from the field in 57 games. He also averaged 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks in 21.9 minutes per game.
The numbers do not tell the whole story. Murray-Boyles quickly became one of Toronto’s more physical defenders and reliable rebounders, using his strength to battle bigger players and his instincts to make plays around the basket.
That impact became even more noticeable in the playoffs. He averaged 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks in 27.3 minutes per game while shooting 65.6 percent from the field.
He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in Game 4 against Cleveland before scoring 17 points in Game 6 to help Toronto force a deciding Game 7. For a rookie, it was an encouraging way to finish the season.
What Should We Expect This Year?
The biggest change should simply be opportunity.
Murray-Boyles is no longer trying to figure out where he fits. He now has a full NBA season and playoff experience under his belt, and Toronto should give him more responsibility.
A reasonable expectation is for him to become a consistent rotation player and potentially start at times. He does not need to become a 20-point scorer. Instead, his development should focus on passing, cutting, screening and attacking mismatches.
The biggest question is his shooting. Murray-Boyles shot 34.0 percent from three as a rookie. If he can become a more reliable perimeter threat, his offensive fit becomes much easier to envision.
Can He Be the Raptors’ Long-Term Center?
This is where things get interesting.
Yes, but probably as a modern small-ball centre rather than a traditional one.
Murray-Boyles has already shown he can survive at centre because of his strength and mobility. He can switch onto smaller players, battle bigger forwards and provide help around the rim, giving Toronto defensive flexibility that a traditional big may not.
The obvious concern is size. There will be nights when a 6-foot-7 center struggles against a legitimate 7-footer, particularly on the glass or in the post.
That is why it is too early to declare him the long-term answer. But it is also too early to rule him out. Toronto still has Jakob Poeltl if it needs a traditional centre, allowing the Raptors to continue experimenting with Murray-Boyles without forcing him into a role he is not ready for.
What Needs to Improve?
Murray-Boyles’ three-point shooting is the biggest swing skill. Even becoming a high-30s shooter would change how defenses approach him.
His foul discipline also needs to improve. His physicality is a strength, but learning when to challenge and when to stay vertical will become increasingly important.
Finally, he needs to become more comfortable creating advantages offensively rather than simply finishing plays.
The Verdict
It is too early to call Collin Murray-Boyles the answer to the Raptors’ long-term needs at centre.
It is not too early to say he could become one.
His rookie season showed that his physicality, defensive versatility and instincts translate to the NBA. If his shooting and offensive game continue to develop, Toronto could eventually have a centre who does not look like a traditional centre at all.
And that might be exactly what the Raptors want.
