After wrapping up a stellar rookie campaign that culminated in a gritty, high-stakes playoff run, Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles could have easily taken a well-deserved, relaxed summer off. Instead, the young forward accepted a rigorous challenge from head coach Darko Rajakovic and the coaching staff: slim down, elevate your conditioning, and prepare to take your game to an entirely new level.
If early training camp reports are any indication, Murray-Boyles didn’t just meet those high expectations—he shattered them completely. With a leaner frame, enhanced explosiveness, and a revamped engine, CMB is shaping up to be one of the most exciting breakout candidates in the entire NBA for the 2026-27 season.
Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Speaking candidly at Raptors media day, Darko Rajakovic praised the relentless work ethic his rising star displayed away from team facilities over the summer. While the franchise challenged him to improve his physical conditioning, Murray-Boyles took matters into his own hands, incorporating grueling distance runs into his daily routine.
“He put in outstanding work,” Rajakovic shared with reporters. “We talked to him that he needs to get in even better shape. And on his own, apart from every workout and everything, he was going outside and running 30 minutes every single day. So he put a tremendous amount of work this summer, and I think he’s ready to make the next step in his career offensively and defensively.”
For a player whose rookie identity was already built on high-motor hustle, physical rebounding, and defensive versatility, pushing his conditioning even further creates a terrifying proposition for opposing teams across the league.
Feeling the Difference on the Floor
The physical changes aren’t just visible on paper; they are entirely palpable for the player himself. Catching up with TSN’s Josh Lewenberg at training camp, Murray-Boyles explained how his transformed physique has completely altered his movement on the court:
“I definitely feel it,” Murray-Boyles said. “I can feel the explosiveness more now. Just feel more bouncy, more energetic.”
That added bounciness translates directly into faster closeouts on the perimeter, quicker lateral foot speed when switching onto shifty guards, and an elevated vertical presence to swat away shots or snatch contested rebounds.
Furthermore, with Toronto adding elite two-way star Kawhi Leonard to the fold alongside franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes, the defensive burden on Murray-Boyles will be balanced out. That structural relief means CMB can funnel his surplus energy directly into his offensive development. Armed with a solid handle, high basketball IQ, and smooth playmaking instincts, a slimmer Murray-Boyles will be lethal in transition, punishing slow-footed big men on the perimeter and blowing past them with newfound speed.
Ready for a Sophomore Surge
Even without a dramatic body transformation, Murray-Boyles was already projected to be an invaluable piece of Toronto’s win-now rotation. But with an elite summer conditioning program under his belt, his ceiling has shifted dramatically.
Whether he anchors the second unit or forces his way into heavy closing minutes, CMB is primed to become one of the most improved and electrifying players in the Eastern Conference. For Raptors fans tracking the team’s evolution into a true contender, the future has arrived ahead of schedule.
Do you think Collin Murray-Boyles should secure a permanent spot in the starting lineup this season, or is he the ultimate high-energy weapon off the bench for Darko Rajakovic?
