While a massive portion of the offseason fanfare across the NBA has naturally fixated on the blockbuster Kawhi Leonard trade saga, savvy Toronto Raptors fans know that the team’s true ceiling depends heavily on its rising young core. Among that group, soon-to-be sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles stands out as arguably the most fascinating X-factor heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
A Promising Rookie Campaign and Playoff Breakthrough
”CMB” put together a quietly stellar debut season, proving himself to be an absolute draft-night steal for the front office. Appearing in 57 games with 22 starts, he averaged 8.5 points while shooting a hyper-efficient 57.9 percent from the field, chipping in 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and nearly a steal and a block per contest across just 21.9 minutes.
That trajectory skyrocketed during the 2026 playoffs. Stepping into a magnified role and taking on heavy minutes as Jakob Poeltl’s presence dwindled, Murray-Boyles elevated his game to 14.4 points on a staggering 65.6 percent shooting clip. He stuffed the stat sheet across the board with 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks over a grueling seven-game series, ultimately earning a well-deserved nod on the All-Rookie Second Team.
As he prepares for year two, the debate surrounding his role is heating up. Whether he cracks the starting five or settles into a high-impact reserve role that puts him in prime contention for the Sixth Man of the Year award, his integration alongside a returning Kawhi Leonard represents a mouth-watering prospect for the coaching staff.
The Missing Piece: Developing a Reliable Jumper
Despite his high-motor defense and elite finishing inside, the glaring question mark surrounding Murray-Boyles’ offensive upside has always been his perimeter shooting. Coming out of South Carolina, he was largely viewed as a non-shooter, converting just 26.5 percent of his meager one attempt per game from beyond the arc. Dreadful shooting footage at the NBA Draft Combine only added to concerns that Toronto had drafted a player who would clog the floor.
To his credit, CMB made quiet strides as a rookie, posting an acceptable 34.0 percent from deep, albeit on a very limited sample size of 0.9 attempts per game. While small-sample caveats apply, any progression from a player labeled a complete non-shooter is a win.
Now, fresh offseason training footage shared by the Raptors’ official social media channels has set the fanbase ablaze. The clips showcase a much more fluid, compact, and confident shooting stroke from the natural lefty. While veteran observers know summer workout videos can sometimes be fool’s gold, the visual evidence of improved rhythm points to a player actively addressing his biggest weakness.
Raising the Raptors’ Ceiling
The upcoming 2026-27 season carries massive championship expectations for Toronto. With the departure of floor-spacing big man Sandro Mamukelashvili leaving a tactical void on the roster, the timing couldn’t be better for Murray-Boyles to step into that niche.
If his offseason jumper translates to real in-game volume and consistency, opposing defenses will no longer be able to sag off him on the perimeter. Paired with his elite defensive versatility, relentless rebounding, and knack for high-IQ passing, a respectable three-point shot would turn CMB into a complete modern forward.
If this sophomore leap is real, the rest of the Eastern Conference better take notice—because the Toronto Raptors just became a whole lot more dangerous.
