When the Raptors selected Collin Murray-Boyles with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the reaction around the league was mixed. Many questioned why Toronto passed on Khaman Maluach despite the organization’s apparent need for a true center. At the same time, a viral draft-night video that appeared to show Murray-Boyles disappointed only fueled even more skepticism. One year later, CMB has proved the critics wrong by becoming one of the biggest steals from his draft class and validating Toronto’s long-term vision.
How Murray-Boyles Proved Critics Wrong After Draft Night
Why There Were Questions On Draft Night
Toronto’s decision surprised many analysts and fans. With Maluach still available, many believed the Raptors would prioritize adding size in the middle instead of selecting another versatile forward. On paper, the criticism made sense. Jakob Poeltl was entering the later stages of his career, and adding a long-term center appeared to be one of the organization’s biggest priorities.
The criticism intensified after a short draft-night clip spread across social media, with many interpreting Murray-Boyles’ reaction as disappointment over being selected by Toronto. Although the video lacked context, it quickly became part of the conversation surrounding the pick. Instead of focusing on the player himself, much of the discussion centered around who the Raptors did not draft.
Toronto Trusted Talent Over Positional Need
The Raptors’ front office has consistently shown a preference for selecting the best basketball player available rather than drafting strictly for positional need. That philosophy proved successful again.
Murray-Boyles immediately displayed the traits Toronto valued throughout the evaluation process. His defensive versatility, physicality, decision-making, and ability to impact winning without needing the ball quickly earned the coaching staff’s trust.
Those qualities helped him secure a significant role in his rookie season and fit seamlessly into Darko Rajaković’s defensive system. His impact eventually earned him All-Rookie Second Team honors, further validating Toronto’s belief that overall talent should outweigh immediate roster concerns.
How He Changed The Conversation
CMB proved critics wrong by letting his play do the talking. He averaged 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and nearly one steal and one block per game while shooting 58 percent from the field during the regular season. More importantly, his production increased during the playoffs, where his scoring, rebounding, and efficiency all took another step forward.
Rather than struggling to adjust to the NBA, Murray-Boyles immediately became one of Toronto’s most impactful defenders. His ability to guard multiple positions, finish efficiently around the rim, rebound, and make quick decisions on offense gave Rajaković another versatile piece to build around.
That impact was eventually recognized with an All-Rookie Second Team selection, validating Toronto’s decision to prioritize talent over positional need. Also, it reaffirms Toronto’s confidence in this team and project and was one of the main reasons Rajaković was extended.
Building On His Rookie Success
Although Murray-Boyles exceeded expectations during his rookie campaign, there is still significant room for growth.
Continuing to develop a more consistent perimeter shot would make him an even more complete offensive player. Becoming a more confident secondary playmaker could also allow Toronto to use him in additional frontcourt combinations alongside Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, giving them one of the league’s best defensive frontcourts.
Defensively, the foundation is already in place. His versatility, strength, and instincts have the potential to make him one of the league’s premier defenders if he continues progressing at his current rate. That ceiling is exactly why Toronto remained confident in its evaluation throughout the draft process. And they continued drafting with that mentality in the most recent draft, selecting Allen Graves with the 19th pick. Toronto believes Graves can contribute to the team immediately, just as Murray-Boyles did.
Toronto Already Looks Vindicated
Draft evaluations are rarely settled after one season, but CMB proved critics wrong far sooner than many expected. Rather than chasing positional need, Toronto bet on talent, versatility, and long-term upside.
One year later, that decision already appears to be paying off. The questions surrounding draft night have largely been replaced by excitement about Murray-Boyles’ future. If his development continues on its current trajectory, the ninth overall pick could become one of the defining selections of Toronto’s rebuild.
Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton, Imagne Images via Reuters Connect
