With the 9th Pick, the Raptors select Collin Murray-Boyles!

[grant101]

I think this is the first time in years I’m left shaking my head at a draft pick. I will probably never understand the logic of reaching way down for a safe pick just because of fit, and not drafting potential and talent and swinging for the fences with one of maybe 3 18 year old prospects. This team needed to swing for the fences.

Are you sure CMB isn't a swing for the fences?

Curious to hear who they thought a swing for the fences pick would be given who was available? Drafting CMB over ‘safe’ picks like Bryant and KM is a huge swing for the fence. Part of his appeal is that he’s a jump shot away from being a complete player and a mismatch nightmare. A sane Ron Artest. I would characterize that bet as a big swing for the fences.

[Kingsway_fan]

Our first championship was built by accumulating talent even where there were redundancies and then trading from surplus to upgrade the roster.

We had JV but drafted Poeltl
We had Demar and Terrence Ross but drafted/acquired Norm
We had Lowry and Vasquez but drafted Delon and signed Fred as UDFA
We had 2-Pat but drafted Siakam

Drafting Delon allowed us to move Vasquez for picks that would become Norm and OG
Norm allowed us to trade Ross for Ibaka.
Poeltl and Demar were traded for Kawhi
Fred allowed us to move Delon with JV for Gasol

When the time is right the redundancies will be dealt with. Who knows, maybe CMB eventually makes Scottie a trade piece for a star or vice versa.

I am not sure why some people are so concerned with "fit" on a team that has won 55 games the last 2 seasons, and only has Barnes and IQ signed beyond the '26-'27 season. And if reports are true, they have no problem moving IQ. It's also June 26th and we have no idea how the team will look come opening night. As things currently stand, I think there has to be a consolidation move.

Fit doesn't mater when we are still in the talent accumulation phase, which Boddy even said last night. Fit only matters when you have players whose place is cemented on your team, which I don't even think Barnes is anymore.

If a certain MIL superstar becomes available during the season, all of a sudden you have a potential replacement for Barnes.

Like you said, this team isn't good enough to be worried about fit. They just need as many good players as possible. If they end up having too many good players at 1 position (which is a good problem), they can make trades.

Agreed. The team needed depth at 5 AND 4.
this is a depth piece at 4.

[Yallbecrazy]

Do you guys see him like a SF/PF version of Lowry?

Put respeck on the GROATS name, Lowry could shoot.

Not in college he couldn't.

[Los_29]

[you could take him at his word. he spoke about it right after. i dont see any logical reason to think hes lying.

Because he just got drafted by the team....What do you want him to say...."Yeah i hated this pick, Didn't want to come here....I thought i was going to Phx" On live TV in an interview? ....I mean cmon lol....

Just like when Zach Lavine got drafted to Minni and looked upset....Everyone had the same reaction to his draft reaction as well....Zach Lavine was also asked about his reaction which he was obviously not thrilled but in the interview he talked like he was fine....

These guys know the cameras are going to be on them. As far as I know CMB worked out for us once (maybe even twice). If he didn’t want to play here, he most certainly wouldn’t have worked out for us.

[Duffman100]

I think this is the first time in years I’m left shaking my head at a draft pick. I will probably never understand the logic of reaching way down for a safe pick just because of fit, and not drafting potential and talent and swinging for the fences with one of maybe 3 18 year old prospects. This team needed to swing for the fences.

Are you sure CMB isn't a swing for the fences?

Curious to hear who they thought a swing for the fences pick would be given who was available? Drafting CMB over ‘safe’ picks like Bryant and KM is a huge swing for the fence. Part of his appeal is that he’s a jump shot away from being a complete player and a mismatch nightmare. A sane Ron Artest. I would characterize that bet as a big swing for the fences.

The dude is 6'7/6'8, 240 pounds, built like a tank. Is already an elite defender with some good handles and touch around the bucket. knows how to pass, is 20 years old.

If they can develop shot, he becomes a top 3 guy of this draft. That's a swing for the fences pick to me.

[dagger]

I think Masai and Bobby were influenced by this year's playoffs. I didn't watch CMB during his sophomore season, but I imagine the thing they really like about him is his GRIT. We saw with OKC that winning a title takes GRIT, physical toughness. From what I read, this kid is going to play it hard and tough, and if he expanded his skillset just a bit, that's where the Draymond Green comps start because DG at his peak DPOY was not just effective, but tough/hard nose/physical. This is something the draft raters and mocks don't dwell on. I mean, Lu Dort was undrafted, and he's bit short, but man, he plays with GRIT, tough, gets in the grill of ball handlers. This doesn't necessarily show in college or in draft workouts, but if you get a PF who plays with GRIT, mean, and he can contribute a bit offensively as well, it will influence winning.

[MoneyBall]

why do people want to believe so badly that he doesnt want to be here when he literally explained what happened right away and said hes happy(and looked very happy and slightly overwhelmed), i dont get it man. must suck to be so cynical.

Yeah, after I saw his post draft interviews it was clear to me he wasn't actually pissed when he got picked.

[Duffman100]

why do people want to believe so badly that he doesnt want to be here when he literally explained what happened right away and said hes happy(and looked very happy and slightly overwhelmed), i dont get it man. must suck to be so cynical.

Yeah, after I saw his post draft interviews it was clear to me he wasn't actually pissed when he got picked.

And who cares really if he is. He's drafted by us, he'll get acclimated and like his teammates. We have him under control for many years.

[Clutch0z24]

[you could take him at his word. he spoke about it right after. i dont see any logical reason to think hes lying.

Because he just got drafted by the team....What do you want him to say...."Yeah i hated this pick, Didn't want to come here....I thought i was going to Phx" On live TV in an interview? ....I mean cmon lol....

Just like when Zach Lavine got drafted to Minni and looked upset....Everyone had the same reaction to his draft reaction as well....Zach Lavine was also asked about his reaction which he was obviously not thrilled but in the interview he talked like he was fine....

These guys know the cameras are going to be on them. As far as I know CMB worked out for us once (maybe even twice). If he didn’t want to play here, he most certainly wouldn’t have worked out for us.

"Yes, Zach LaVine did work out for the Minnesota Timberwolves before the 2014 NBA draft, where he was ultimately selected by them. He specifically mentioned that the workout with the Timberwolves was the toughest one he did."

Zach Lavine when drafted to T-Wolves "Looks upset" Says "FK me" Then following interview on TV was asked about his reaction to being drafted....And Said he was not upset....

Lavines reaction went viral everyone saying he hated being drafted to T-Wolves.....For obvious reasons....

^Same thing happened with CMB....Idk why people are shocked with the fans reaction to his reaction....Even if CMB prefered Suns imo....Doesn't matter he will love Toronto once hes here....Thats all that matters.

[Morris_Shatford]

Well, Masai clearly has a type.

[bobbyp3588]

I think outside of guys who base their draft projections out of advanced stay models CMB is not a guy you pick in our spot. The upside to drafting a defensive stopper is not there.

The offensive upside of a below-the-rim finishing, undersized big, is the main issues. It is almost impossible to find a comparable player or role type to CMB in the NBA as a result. Plays a C type of game but is too small.

Reality for him is that he will need to adjust to the size and speed of defense in the NBA and he won't score as much. He will feed off rebounds/putbacks and really be on the floor for defense. His role is a defensive stopper.

That is perfect for a team like Houston or OKC that is loaded with talent and already has a winning/contending team. They can add specialists.

Toronto's FO acts like it is already a playoff team with a move like this. Upside guys were around like Essengue, Maluach, Bryant, and Coward and we passed. Any of those players might have become star players because they are young and don't have a lot of barriers.

Now, we are in a position where if CMB doesn't progress with his shooting and/or struggles with his finishing we have a 9 PPG 7 REB bench level PF. The defense is great but I don't know if he has a ton of value in future trades.

We basically drafted a better Mogbo and this was our last chance at a high first pick. You just hope he has all-NBA level defense.

Acting like the 25-26 Raps aren’t a playoff team is foolish. They will be. And yes, he does have all nba level D and could very well be a future DPOY. Great pick, and I’m sure time will tell that story.

[ConSarnit]

Our first championship was built by accumulating talent even where there were redundancies and then trading from surplus to upgrade the roster.

We had JV but drafted Poeltl
We had Demar and Terrence Ross but drafted/acquired Norm
We had Lowry and Vasquez but drafted Delon and signed Fred as UDFA
We had 2-Pat but drafted Siakam

Drafting Delon allowed us to move Vasquez for picks that would become Norm and OG
Norm allowed us to trade Ross for Ibaka.
Poeltl and Demar were traded for Kawhi
Fred allowed us to move Delon with JV for Gasol

When the time is right the redundancies will be dealt with. Who knows, maybe CMB eventually makes Scottie a trade piece for a star or vice versa.

I am not sure why some people are so concerned with "fit" on a team that has won 55 games the last 2 seasons, and only has Barnes and IQ signed beyond the '26-'27 season. And if reports are true, they have no problem moving IQ. It's also June 26th and we have no idea how the team will look come opening night. As things currently stand, I think there has to be a consolidation move.

Fit doesn't mater when we are still in the talent accumulation phase, which Boddy even said last night. Fit only matters when you have players whose place is cemented on your team, which I don't even think Barnes is anymore.

If a certain MIL superstar becomes available during the season, all of a sudden you have a potential replacement for Barnes.

Like you said, this team isn't good enough to be worried about fit. They just need as many good players as possible. If they end up having too many good players at 1 position (which is a good problem), they can make trades.

This is a pretty damning assessment of this team. 3 years of spinning our wheels and we don’t have anyone who has cemented their spot on the team? We’re just going to spend another couple of years mashing parts together until it fits? That doesn’t exactly scream optimism. What type of team have we built if everyone is expendable?

[MiamiSPX]

Like most guys we draft, he will end up loving the city and hating the weather (born and raised in SC).

[dagger]

why do people want to believe so badly that he doesnt want to be here when he literally explained what happened right away and said hes happy(and looked very happy and slightly overwhelmed), i dont get it man. must suck to be so cynical.

Yeah, after I saw his post draft interviews it was clear to me he wasn't actually pissed when he got picked.

As one of the Raptors media noted, Toronto is one of the few teams apparently that doesn't alert the player about to be drafted that he is their choice, so it was a shock to him. The last mocks mostly had the Raptors drafting other guys.

[MoneyBall]

why do people want to believe so badly that he doesnt want to be here when he literally explained what happened right away and said hes happy(and looked very happy and slightly overwhelmed), i dont get it man. must suck to be so cynical.

Yeah, after I saw his post draft interviews it was clear to me he wasn't actually pissed when he got picked.

And who cares really if he is. He's drafted by us, he'll get acclimated and like his teammates. We have him under control for many years.

I care. I think it's kind of silly that people say it doesn't matter. I want people to want to represent this city.

[Brinbe]

CMB's stats and physical profile look pretty similar to Kawhi's coming out of San Diego State... just saying.

Exactly what I've been pointing out too and from that perspective, in terms of what this front office has been trying to find/develop for the last decade, it makes perfect sense as a long-term home-run swing. Now they've had various levels of success with developing these sorts but again, these sorts of players can be the most valuable archetype in the league for a reason.

And to be clear, I hope no one is 100% expecting him to reach that ridiculously high benchmark of Kawhi, but If he can become even a decent shooter from 3, the sky is the limit since he already does everything else well. What CMB did at 19 in a tough conference with crappy teammates as an undersized C was pretty impressive and I'm fascinated to see what he can possibly become at 24.

Anyway, I've been saying that his draft pick will tell us a lot about where this FO's head is at in terms of direction and I think when considering what they also did last year it tells us that they want Dawgs with a capital D.

[And1Skip]

Also, CMB's girlfriend Chloe Kitts is a star PF and slotted right around where Toronto Tempo will be drafting next year. Draft her and the feel good stories will be endless.

[MoneyBall]

why do people want to believe so badly that he doesnt want to be here when he literally explained what happened right away and said hes happy(and looked very happy and slightly overwhelmed), i dont get it man. must suck to be so cynical.

Yeah, after I saw his post draft interviews it was clear to me he wasn't actually pissed when he got picked.

As one of the Raptors media noted, Toronto is one of the few teams apparently that doesn't alert the player about to be drafted that he is their choice, so it was a shock to him. The last mocks mostly had the Raptors drafting other guys.

Shootout to Sam Vecenie who accurately had us picking CMB.

[WuTang_CMB]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/why-raptors-surprised-nba-by-picking-collin-murray-boyles-at-nba-draft/

[CoinTossRoss31]

Personally I trust the FO decision to take CMB.
I also think he would have been taken #10 by PHX if we decided to trade down, that fit made a lot of sense