Now, after spending the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s back in the Eastern Conference. According to ESPN‘s Shams Charania, James has agreed to join the Philadelphia 76ers, giving the East another legitimate contender and reminding Raptors fans of a rivalry they’d probably rather leave in the past.

There aren’t many players who have shaped Raptors history without ever wearing the jersey. LeBron is one of them.

Toronto was coming off some of the best regular seasons in franchise history between 2016 and 2018. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan had turned the Raptors into one of the NBA’s most consistent teams. Every postseason, though, there was one obstacle. The Cavaliers. More specifically, LeBron James.

The Raptors pushed Cleveland to six games in the 2016 Eastern Conference Final, but that was as close as they ever got. The next two seasons ended in sweeps, including the unforgettable 2018 series that gave birth to the nickname “LeBronto.”

That series changed the direction of the franchise. Dwane Casey was fired. DeRozan was traded. Kawhi Leonard arrived. The following season, with LeBron in Los Angeles, Toronto finally broke through and won its first NBA championship.

The 76ers were already expected to be one of the better teams in the conference, especially after adding Jaylen Brown after fleecing the Boston Celtics. Now they add arguably the greatest player of his generation to a group that already includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Brown and VJ Edgecombe. If that group stays healthy, there aren’t going to be many teams looking forward to seeing them.

As it stands right now, Toronto isn’t in the same place as Philadelphia. The Raptors are still trying to take the next step with a young core led by Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and their new rookie, Allen Graves, who, to his credit, has looked phenomenal in Summer League.

But LeBron’s arrival is another reminder that the Eastern Conference isn’t getting any easier. If Toronto wants to move from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender, eventually they’ll need another established star. That’s where finalizing this Kawhi Leonard deal needs to be a top priority.

LeBron has been part of some of the biggest moments in Raptors history. Whether Toronto likes it or not, he’s back in the conference, and if these teams ever cross paths in the playoffs again, the memories of those Cavaliers series won’t be far behind.

The post LeBron James’ return to the East creates a new challenge for the Raptors first appeared on Raptors Republic.

Over the last two drafts, Toronto has used two first-round picks on players who fit the same mold: defensive-minded players who can impact the game in multiple ways. In 2025, it was Collin Murray-Boyles. In 2026, it was Allen Graves.

Both players impressed during their first taste of NBA action in Summer League, but after comparing their performances, Graves may have put together the more complete showing.

That’s not a knock on Murray-Boyles, who gave Raptors fans plenty to be excited about. And who is on a track for his NBA career that Graves would surely dream to be on. It’s more a reflection of just how impressive Graves looked from the moment he stepped on the Summer-League floor.

Collin Murray-Boyles 

The Raptors selected Collin Murray-Boyles ninth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, and fans had to wait a little longer than expected to see him in action. CMB missed Toronto’s Summer League opener against the Chicago Bulls after being ruled out before tip-off with a left adductor strain. Luckily, the injury didn’t keep him sidelined for long.

Murray-Boyles made his Summer League debut in Game 2 against the Orlando Magic and, after a slow start offensively, quickly settled in. He finished with eight points, seven rebounds and three steals.

It wasn’t a flashy debut, but the impact was clear. Murray-Boyles showed the defensive instincts and physicality that made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of South Carolina.

His best performance came later in the tournament when he helped lead Toronto to the semi-finals with victory over the Golden State Warriors.

In that game he finished a game-high 20 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two assists. He shot 8-of-13 from the field and finished as a plus-22.

Most of his damage came inside. He attacked the basket, used his strength to get downhill and consistently created extra possessions by crashing the glass.

While he struggled in Toronto’s semifinal loss to the Sacramento Kings, scoring just four points, his overall Summer League performance still left plenty of optimism. He wasn’t creating his own shots and was more or less subsisting on what was created by his teammates passing or misses.

Across four games, Murray-Boyles averaged 10.5 points, 5.5 boards, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 57.1 percent from the field in 23.6 minutes per game. The defence was clearly hellacious.

Allen Graves

If you thought Murray-Boyles’ Summer League debut was impressive, well….Allen Graves’ was something else.

The Raptors selected Graves 19th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, and with several players unavailable, he immediately became one of the focal points of the team.

Graves finished Summer League averaging 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals while shooting 50 percent from deep on 5.5 attempts per game.

In his Summer League debut, Graves announced himself immediately. He finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two blocks while knocking down three three-pointers. The most impressive part was how many ways he impacted the game.

He grabbed five offensive rebounds, created extra possessions and made plays defensively all over the floor. After missing his first four three-point attempts, Graves knocked down three straight in the fourth quarter and overtime. It was the type of confidence you would want to see from a first-round pick.

While CMB struggled in his final game, Graves saved his best performance for last as well. Against the Miami Heat, he scored a team-high 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He even hit some jumpers on the move, expanding the category of triples he was attempting.

He also added six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal while committing zero turnovers.

The Raptors fell just five points short of making the Summer League playoffs, but Graves was a major reason they finished with a winning record. At times, he even initiated in the pick and roll, showing real positional versatility.

Graves and Murray-Boyles show the Raptors are building the right way

The biggest similarity between Murray-Boyles and Graves is obvious: they both fit exactly what Toronto wants to build around. They defend. They play with toughness. They impact the game without needing the ball.

Knowing how impressive Murray-Boyles looked in his first Summer League and seeing how quickly he became a valuable piece for Toronto, it is very hard not to be excited about what Graves could become.

The post CMB vs. Graves: Raptors’ 2025 and 2026 Summer League comparison first appeared on Raptors Republic.

Toronto finished 3-1 in games that counted before the consolation matchup, and while they fell just short of making the playoffs, the bigger story was the number of young players who gave the organization something to think about. The Raptors didn’t have any lottery picks, and their standout rookie Collin Murray-Boyles didn’t play a single minute. They they were one of the league’s best regardless.

Here are six thoughts from the Raptors’ Summer League performance.

1. Allen Graves looks NBA-ready from day 1

It didn’t take long for Allen Graves to show why the Raptors were so excited to draft him 19th overall. Coming into draft night, Graves was described as a player who would fit perfectly into Toronto’s defensive system. After watching him in Summer League, it’s hard to disagree.

The effort was obvious every time he stepped on the floor. Graves defended multiple positions, used his quick hands to create turnovers and constantly put himself in the right spot defensively. He was terrific helping at the rim, either with swipedowns when he was early, or proper swats above the rim when he arrived later. He played with the type of energy that Raptors fans have become used to seeing from this team.

What also stood out most was that he wasn’t just a defensive player. Graves showed he can be a legitimate offensive weapon too. He shot 50 percent from three on 5.5 attempts per game, and his confidence and versatility as a shooter continued to grow throughout the week.

His passing was another area that caught people’s attention. Graves played point guard in high school, and those instincts were still there. He made smart reads, found cutters and rarely looked rushed when handling the ball. He wasn’t able to penetrate multiple layers of the defence with his dribble, but he was able to read the defence in real time and out-think its rotations for creative assists to the rim.

Overall, the biggest compliment you can give him is that he looked comfortable. He looked like a player who understands how to impact winning in every area of the game.

2. Seth Lundy deserves another NBA chance

Seth Lundy came into Summer League with something to prove, and he did exactly that. Now, whether that opportunity comes with Toronto is a different conversation.

The Raptors still have one two-way spot available, but after seeing Jamarion Sharp sign with the Clippers and knowing the team needs more frontcourt depth, Nate Bittle feels like the likely choice.

Also it is important to acknowledge that Toronto also already has Jamison Battle as a shooting specialist, which could make Lundy a tougher fit. However, that still shouldn’t take away from what Lundy did.

He was arguably Toronto’s most consistent player throughout Summer League. He averaged 20 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 52 percent from the field and 43.8 per cent from three on eight attempts per game. He absorbed constant shots and volume when he stepped on the floor, and the team’s half-court offence was far better as a result. If not with the Raps, someone around the NBA should give him another look.

3. Nate Bittle can solve two problems at once

The Raptors needed help at centre heading into Summer League. Nate Bittle might have given them an answer. The former Oregon big man showed why his skill set is so intriguing. At 7-foot, he has the size to protect the rim, but he also has the shooting ability to stretch the floor. He swatted shots constantly when opponents challenged him, and that should translate to the NBA proper with his enormous wingspan. Size travels. And he was not hesitant with his jumper, as he popped out of screening actions and drilled his attempts in those actions.

That combination is exactly what teams are looking for in today’s NBA. Bittle averaged 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks while shooting 43.8 per cent from three on four attempts per game. Let’s just say at his size that the shot-blocking was expected. The shooting was the bonus.

4. The Raptors’ scouting department deserves credit

One of the biggest positives from Summer League was how many players Toronto found. Graves was the obvious one, but Bittle and Lundy also showed they can play at a high level. The Raptors didn’t pick them in the draft, but they got great looks at players who could theoretically join the franchise and add to its stockpile of talent.

This is becoming a trend for the Raptors. Last season, there were plenty of questions surrounding Collin Murray-Boyles after the draft, and he answered them by showing he could be a valuable part of the team’s future.

This year, Toronto was linked to different positions in the draft, including point guard and centre, but they trusted their board and doubled down on their strengths by selecting another athletic wing who can impact the game on both ends. After Summer League, that decision looks even better.

5. Raptors’ defensive identity was on full display even in Summer League

Even though this was Summer League, the Raptors played exactly how they want their organization to play. They defended. They ran. They shared the ball.

While Imo Simovic was the Summer League coach, you could still see the influence of Darko Rajakovic’s system. Toronto had five players average more than one steal per game, led by Graves with 2.3. The Raps also had three players average at least two blocks per game, with Sharp and Bittle both averaging 2.8. Toronto’s half-court offence was shaky at Summer League, but when it ran the ball, scoring came much easier.

Sound familiar?

6. Missing the playoffs shouldn’t take away from the week

Yes, finishing 3-1 and missing the Summer League playoffs by just five points was disappointing. But that’s not really what Summer League is about.

The standings don’t matter nearly as much as finding players who can help your team moving forward, and Toronto accomplished that. Graves is ready, seemingly even more so than any reasonable observers could have predicted. And if all goes to plan over the next few weeks, the Raptors should add one or even two more performers from its Summer League squad to the 905 or even the Raptors’ roster for the upcoming season.

The post Six takeaways from the Raptors’ 2026 Summer League performance first appeared on Raptors Republic.

It makes total sense. He’s Canadian, he’s one of the best players in the NBA, and the Toronto Raptors remain the only team in the league representing the country. However, according to his father, Vaughan Alexander, a return to Toronto doesn’t seem likely. At least for right now.

Speaking on the No Flukes podcast, Alexander explained why he believes his son is in the perfect situation with the Oklahoma City Thunder and why he doesn’t expect Shai to leave anytime soon.

“Shai is perfect where he is in OKC, and I don’t think he will ever leave,” his father said. Vaughn  pointed to Oklahoma City’s environment as one of the biggest reasons for his belief. He said Gilgeous-Alexander enjoys the ability to focus on basketball without some of the distractions that can come with playing in a bigger market.

“People ask, ‘What does Shai do in OKC?’ He loves it because all Shai wants to do is hoop. It’s a perfect fit.” He also mentioned that playing in Toronto would come with a different level of attention, especially with family and friends nearby.

“In Toronto, everybody is going to be on your a– saying, ‘Yo, give me tickets, give me this, that!’ Shai is perfect where he is in OKC,” his father said. He also added that he doesn’t see his son leaving Oklahoma City unless something unexpected happens between SGA and the organization.

“I don’t think he’ll ever leave unless politics or something happens. That’s how the NBA works. But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said. To be fair, right now, it’s hard to argue with the situation in Oklahoma City.

SGA has become the face of the Thunder and is coming off a couple of the best seasons a Canadian basketball player has ever had. He won the 2025 NBA championship, while earning Finals MVP and his second straight MVP award.

It is important to note that while his father doesn’t see Toronto as a likely destination, that doesn’t mean it can never happen. The NBA changes quickly. Situations that seem impossible today can look completely different years down the road.

Nobody expected the Dallas Mavericks to trade Luka Doncic in his prime. Many believed Giannis Antetokounmpo would spend his entire career in Milwaukee after delivering a championship to the Bucks. As we know, things change.

The post SGA’s father doesn’t see Raptors as likely destination for NBA superstar first appeared on Raptors Republic.

From Zulfi’s piece:

Nate Bittle is perfect for the Barnes-Rajakovic era

I get that expecting an undrafted centre on an Exhibit-10 contract to not only make an NBA roster but be a contributing member sounds far-fetched. And it is (again, that’s the point of this whole exercise). But it wouldn’t even be the first time the Raptors have had a player take that path. Between Fred VanVleet, Chris Boucher and Jamison Battle, who all took similar routes to NBA rotation minutes, the organization is not unfamiliar with this developmental arc.

And Bittle has looked the part — at least during Summer League — of a stretch-big who can also protect the rim that Raptors fans have long clamoured for and of which there are few and far between in the NBA. The mammoth 7-foot, 250-pound big man averaged 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks while shooting 50 per cent from the field and 43.8 per cent from beyond the arc (on 4.0 attempts) through four games. He was as comfortable pinning defenders with bruising screens before rolling down low to collect scraps as he was spotting up from distance and making calculated reads.

What also popped were his 2.3 assists, albeit on 2.5 turnovers per game. Bittle was used as a play initiator on more than one occasion, and it’s no secret that Rajakovic appreciates bigs who can make on-ball decisions from all over the floor.

At worst, with Jakob Poeltl’s availability far from certain, having a younger centre (Bittle is 23) in the pipeline who offers plenty of similarities (and differences) available to eat minutes when needed would be worthwhile to consider. At best, his fit projects quite snug next to the duo of Barnes and Murray-Boyles, who could punish defences in so many ways with a big like Bittle who can theoretically occupy defenders in multiple spots, whether that’s at the rim or above the break.”

Have a blessed day.

The post One skill to improve for every Toronto Raptor first appeared on Raptors Republic.

The Montreal native was recently moved to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade that also involved the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder. Dallas landed former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, while the Thunder picked up three second-round picks and Atlanta added one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders.

However, before this deal was completed, the Raptors were reportedly one of the teams keeping an eye on Dort. According to Mike Scotto of HoopsHype, Toronto was among four teams that expressed interest in acquiring the Canadian.

“Several teams expressed trade interest in acquiring Dort before he was traded to Atlanta, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto reported.

It’s unclear how far those conversations went or whether Toronto ever got close to making a deal happen. Still, it’s easy to see why the Raptors would have been interested.

Dort has made a name for himself as one of the league’s most physical defenders. After spending his first seven NBA seasons with Oklahoma City, Dort helped the Thunder win the 2025 NBA championship and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team that same season.

While his biggest impact comes on defence, Dort also could have helped address another major issue for Toronto, three-point shooting.The Raptors struggled from beyond the arc last season, and Dort has shown he can be a reliable option from deep when given the opportunity. 

In the 2024-25 season, he shot 41.2 percent from three-point range while taking 5.8 attempts per game. Last season, Dort averaged 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds across 69 games. For his career, he has averaged 11.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

The Raptors’ reported interest shows the type of player they continue to look for as they build their next version of the team: players who can defend at a high level and help win without needing constant touches.

The post Raptors had interest in Lu Dort before he landed with Hawks first appeared on Raptors Republic.

After a strong week in Las Vegas, Jamarion Sharp is reportedly signing a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto. It’s a tough one for Toronto.

The Raptors don’t exactly have a ton of depth in the frontcourt, and Sharp looked like someone worth taking a chance on. At 7-foot-5, he gave Toronto something it simply doesn’t have a lot of — size around the rim.

Sharp finished his five games averaging 7.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks while shooting better than 71 per cent from the field. His shot-blocking ranked among the best in Las Vegas. His best basketball came over the final two games.

Against the Miami Heat, Sharp came alive offensively, scoring three straight field-goals. Two of which were highlight reel worthy alley-oop dunks. Sharp also put on a show in his Summer League finale against the Denver Nuggets.

With more minutes than he’d seen earlier in the tournament, Sharp responded with arguably his best performance of the week, finishing with eight points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, a steal and an assist in 25 minutes.

Sharp still hasn’t appeared in an NBA regular-season game. Since leaving Ole Miss, he’s spent time with the Mavericks organization on Exhibit 10 contracts while continuing to develop in the G League.

Last season, he was named the G League Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 4.1 blocks per game. He also chipped in 7.7 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting an incredible 73.5 per cent from the field.

For the Clippers, it’s a low-risk move on a player with obvious upside. For the Raptors, it means one less option at a position where they could’ve used another body. The good news is Toronto still has one open two-way contract, and another big man, Nate Bittle made a strong case for himself during Summer League as well.

The post Jamarion Sharp turns Raptors Summer League into NBA opportunity first appeared on Raptors Republic.

This year, several former Raptors took the floor with new teams looking to make an impact, and a few familiar faces made sure they weren’t forgotten.

Here are four former Raptors, that performed well this summer:

1. New Orleans Pelicans – Markquis Nowell

First and foremost, it was just great to see Markquis Nowell playing some good basketball again.

The 5-foot-7 guard became a fan favourite in Toronto almost immediately after signing a two-way contract following the 2023 NBA Draft. Coming out of Kansas State as a fifth-year senior, Nowell brought plenty of excitement with his fearless style of play and ability to create for others.

His NBA opportunity with Toronto was limited, appearing in just one game during the 2023-24 season, but he was a key piece for the Raptors 905. In 13 regular season G League games, Nowell averaged 14.4 points, 8.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game while earning G League All-Star recognition.

Unfortunately, injuries got in the way. A hamstring strain slowed down his progress, and Toronto eventually moved on from the guard.

This summer, Nowell got a chance to get back on the court with the New Orleans Pelicans, and he looked like himself again.

Across five Summer League games, he averaged 13.2 points, 4.6 assists and three steals while shooting 37.1 per cent from three.

The size will always be the biggest talking point with Nowell, but his quickness, toughness and ability to create offence is always fun to watch.

2. Orlando Magic – Colin Castleton

Colin Castleton’s Summer League story this year was a lot different than the one he had with Toronto.

Last summer, Castleton struggled to find his footing. In five games with the Raptors, he averaged just 2.6 points and four rebounds while shooting 33.3 per cent from the field. It was a tough showing for a player trying to prove he belonged at the NBA level.

However, to his credit, Castleton did have an opportunity with the Raptors NBA squad during the regular 2024-25 season. The former Florida Gator appeared in 11 games for the Raptors, including four starts, averaging 7.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 26.2 minutes per game.

This summer with the Orlando Magic, Castleton looked much more comfortable. He played with more confidence and was far more active around the basket, averaging 13.3 points and six rebounds across four games while shooting an impressive 61.1 percent from the field.

3. Sacramento Kings – Jonathon Mogbo 

Toronto selected Mogbo 31st overall during the 2024 NBA Draft because of his ability to impact the game in a lot of different ways. He was never viewed as someone who would just put up points, his value came from his rebounding, passing and defence. Basically, he was considered a Swiss army knife.

The problem for him was finding consistent minutes. Mogbo averaged just 1.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 6.2 minutes per game over 40 appearances with Toronto last season. The Raptors eventually declined his team option, and he moved on to the Sacramento Kings.

In four games with Sacramento, Mogbo averaged 11.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks while playing 24.5 minutes per game.

4. Denver Nuggets – Jahmi’us Ramsey 

Jahmi’us Ramsey couldn’t have picked a better time to remind Raptors fans what he can do.

In the Denver Nuggets’ final Summer League game against Toronto, the former Raptor put together one of the best performances of his summer. Ramsey exploded for a game-high 20 points, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the field while adding eight rebounds and two steals.

It was a little bit of a “what could have been” moment for a player who spent part of the 2023-24 season in Toronto. Ramsey appeared in seven games with the Raptors, including one start, averaging 6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 17.3 minutes per game. 

He showed flashes as a scorer but struggled to find a consistent role, and Toronto eventually waived him in 2024, choosing to keep Jamison Battle instead.

Across five Summer League games with Denver, he averaged 9.2 points and four rebounds while shooting an impressive 58.1 per cent from the field and 46.7 per cent from three on three attempts per game.

When it comes to these four guys, some may find their way back into the NBA. Others may carve out roles elsewhere. Either way, Raptors fans got a chance to check in on some familiar faces, and a few of them gave people a reason to keep watching.

PRESENTED BY NATION GEAR

THE OFFSEASON SOCIAL CLUB HAS ARRIVED! The new era of Nation Gear starts here. Introducing the Nation Gear x Levelwear Offseason Social Club Collection — a limited edition collection built for the fans who know the sports lifestyle doesn’t stop. Designed for golf rounds, patio hangs, weekend trips, and every plan in between, this collection blends premium performance with everyday leisure. It’s versatile enough to dress up, comfortable enough to live in, and made for wherever the offseason takes you. Because being a sports fan isn’t a season — it’s a personality. Welcome to the club. Shop the Offseason Social Club now. nationgear.ca

The post Four ex-Raptors who stood out at the 2026 Summer League first appeared on Raptors Republic.

Some that have been real page turners, and others that fell flatter than the Nevada outskirts. Sin City truly is where dreams dance on a knife’s edge, teetering between unlimited potential and overwhelming disappointment.

Yet if there’s one certainty, Las Vegas has never been the place for drawn conclusions as far as NBA narratives are concerned. Rather, it’s where stories merely begin — our first look at promising pros, donning uniforms for teams that took a gambler’s chance on them.

It’s the time of year in the NBA calendar when patience ought to reign supreme.

But where’s the fun in that? With three months until games start to count again, and plenty of runway for pragmatism, let’s embrace the spirit of the strip instead and let our imaginations run wild. What better time or place to go all-in than after Summer League in Las Vegas? Consider the jackpot scenarios and what could happen if everything breaks just right.

With that being said, here are some overreactions following the Toronto Raptors 2026 Summer League run.

_{(To reiterate, these are intentionally hot-ish takes. If they were strictly reasonable, that would defeat the purpose!)}

Allen Graves will make the all-rookie first team

The same prediction was made about Collin Murray-Boyles after last year’s Summer League run, and had it not been for a couple of pesky thumb injuries, there’s good reason to believe it would’ve come true. So, let’s see if the second time’s the charm.

This year’s 19th-overall pick has been as advertised, if not downright better, throughout his four games in Las Vegas. Graves averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks on 51.0/50.0/100.0 per cent shooting splits — one of 25 rookies out of 350 that played in at least three Summer League games to average a block and a steal.

The 19-year-old’s case to eventually be considered one of the top rookies from the 2026 class should be similar to CMB’s from last year, in that Graves projects to be a high-impact player for what is expected to be a playoff team (especially if Kawhi Leonard ever ends up returning to the Raptors). If he can keep taking (5.5 three-point attempts per game during Summer League) and making his jumpers at a commensurate rate against regular NBAers, Graves should be a meaningful two-way rotation player under head coach Darko Rajakovic.

He already appears versatile and strong enough to handle a variety of defensive assignments, and Summer League may have hinted at a greater vision for his upside than originally imagined on the other end of the floor. The rookie was given ball-handling responsibilities for chunks of games and demonstrated real poise and a confident dribble package against multiple defensive coverages.

If the 2026 draft’s “analytical darling” can continue his advance-metric wizardry in the pros while continuing to turn heads of eye-test enthusiasts, his case to be recognized among the best rookies in the class will certainly take shape.

Nate Bittle is perfect for the Barnes-Rajakovic era

I get that expecting an undrafted centre on an Exhibit-10 contract to not only make an NBA roster but be a contributing member sounds far-fetched. And it is (again, that’s the point of this whole exercise). But it wouldn’t even be the first time the Raptors have had a player take that path. Between Fred VanVleet, Chris Boucher and Jamison Battle, who all took similar routes to NBA rotation minutes, the organization is not unfamiliar with this developmental arc.

And Bittle has looked the part — at least during Summer League — of a stretch-big who can also protect the rim that Raptors fans have long clamoured for and of which there are few and far between in the NBA. The mammoth 7-foot, 250-pound big man averaged 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks while shooting 50 per cent from the field and 43.8 per cent from beyond the arc (on 4.0 attempts) through four games. He was as comfortable pinning defenders with bruising screens before rolling down low to collect scraps as he was spotting up from distance and making calculated reads.

What also popped were his 2.3 assists, albeit on 2.5 turnovers per game. Bittle was used as a play initiator on more than one occasion, and it’s no secret that Rajakovic appreciates bigs who can make on-ball decisions from all over the floor.

At worst, with Jakob Poeltl’s availability far from certain, having a younger centre (Bittle is 23) in the pipeline who offers plenty of similarities (and differences) available to eat minutes when needed would be worthwhile to consider. At best, his fit projects quite snug next to the duo of Barnes and Murray-Boyles, who could punish defences in so many ways with a big like Bittle who can theoretically occupy defenders in multiple spots, whether that’s at the rim or above the break.

Raptors will finish top-half of the league in three-point shooting

Admittedly, this is a prayer as much as it’s a prophecy.

While it may not even seem like much of a hot take, consider that the Raptors have ranked bottom-five in average three-point makes in each of the last four seasons and they haven’t reached top-half of the league status since 2020-21. So, yeah, it’s been quite some time.

And what would the top-half of the league in three-point shooting even look like? Well, since the Raptors last sat at that end of the table, league averages in makes and percentage have hovered around 13 and 36 per cent. Ironically, the Raptors Summer League squad fell short of both marks at 10.4 made three-pointers on a 33.1 per cent clip, but still finished 13th and 12th among all 30 teams in those areas, respectively.

As for why I’m willing to believe (desperately hope) the NBA Raptors can finally hit threes at a rate respectable for modern basketball? Like I said, these are takes considering everything breaks right. The combination of a healthy Immanuel Quickley, available Kawhi Leonard, consistent RJ Barrett/Scottie Barnes, ascending Graves and Murray-Boyles and a more involved Jamison Battle, along with maybe even a surprise addition in Nate Bittle, should at the very least raise the three-point shooting floor in a meaningful way.

For a team that’s lost the math battle on far too many occasions over the last four years, it would be a very welcome time to buck that trend.

Seth Lundy will slot into the A.J. Lawson role

As things stand, the Raptors have one two-way spot remaining with this year’s 50th overall pick Jaden Bradley — coming off a mixed-bag showing in Las Vegas — and sophomore Chucky Hepburn already occupying two slots.

There’s a chance Bittle could end up on that final two-way contract if he doesn’t get a guaranteed NBA deal with the Raptors or another team. But it’s also fair to say that Lundy has earned consideration for a short-term future with the organization after leading the team in scoring during Summer League.

The 26-year-old averaged 20.0 points (15th overall) to go with 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals through four games. Lundy did so while shooting 52.0 per cent from the field and 43.8 per cent from beyond the arc, on 8.0 three-point attempts per game (tied-10th during Summer League).

Lundy looks as though he could be the same kind of slick-scoring swingman that Lawson had been for the Raptors 905 the last couple of seasons, while maybe even offering some of the same burgeoning defensive acumen and underrated athleticism we’d see from the Brampton, Ont. native.

It is worth noting, however, that Lundy has far less NBA experience than Lawson did when joining the organization, having played just nine games with the Atlanta Hawks in the 2023-24 season after being drafted 46th overall. But as far as getting more reps at the G League level, he has a track record of positive production. Lundy spent much of his lone NBA season with Atlanta’s development squad, averaging 23.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 blocks in 12 games with the College Park Skyhawks.

It’s not hard to envision Lundy dominating the G League ranks with a new-look 905 team this upcoming season, and maybe even joining the Raptors for a couple of games to eat minutes and show off that jumper at the NBA level. At the very least, he’s shown enough to warrant our imaginations wandering.

The post Overreactions from Raptors’ 2026 Summer League run first appeared on Raptors Republic.

The post Tempo STEAMROLLED By Aces Heading Into All-Star Break | Full Game Recap + Analysis first appeared on Raptors Republic.

Taking on the defending champs is never an easy task, especially when they entered Coca-Cola Coliseum riding a 7-3 record over their last 10 games.

Associate head coach Olaf Lange, in filling in for Sandy Brondello as she served a one-game suspension, didn’t sugarcoat the challenge that lay ahead for the Tempo.

“Obviously they have three of the best two-way players in the game on their roster, I mean (A’ja) Wilson, (Jackie) Young and Chelsea Gray, they’re all three-level scorers, a handful, and any game plan I think of any team in the WNBA is focused around those three, and trying to limit their effectiveness. Most importantly, their space in which they can operate, and that is no different for us today. … We’ll see what we can do to disturb their rhythm and their space, and obviously we have to do a good job also on the rebounding end, force some misses and make sure we rebound the ball better, which is something we haven’t done as of late.

And at least for the opening frame, it appeared as though Lange’s words had stuck with his players as the Tempo were summarily the aggressors on the glass. Most indicative was when Marina Mabrey attacked Wilson off the dribble, tried to scoop in a layup and was blocked, but the ball was corralled by Isabelle Harrison, who moved it around and back to Mabrey. The Tempo all-star tried to size up Wilson again, this time into a side-step three from the right wing that hit back iron, and this time Maria Conde wrestled down low for the ball and it made its way out to Harrison above the break for the first three of her team-high 26 points on the night. It was the veteran forward’s third 20-point game of the season and set a new single-game career-high, while shooting 8-of-11 from the field and racking up 11 rebounds as well

“I know my role here was different and that’s why Sandy brought me here,” Harrison said post-game when asked about her breakthrough with the Tempo. “So she wants me to be aggressive and be a prominent post player for her. So, you know, I honour that. Honour that, and I respect her as a coach that she is. So I try to do that every night. Do that along with helping our team win. So, good performance, but I always, I’d rather have the win. So hopefully I can get both next time.”

With 11 rebounds as a team in the first quarter, including four on the offensive end, Toronto limited the damage of Las Vegas’ three-headed monster — namely Young, who chipped in 12 early points — to a 30-24 deficit.

And although Young was then held scoreless in the second quarter, Wilson and Gray picked up the slack with 18 combined points. The guard-forward duo supercharged a 12-2 run that included a pick-and-pop three from Wilson that gave the Aces their first double-digit edge of the game, which they built into a 60-44 lead by halftime.

As had been the case of late for the Tempo, the injury-ravaged squad — now missing Nyara Sabally as well for an undefined period with a rib injury — was ticking closer to empty in the gas tank sooner than desired. Moments of good process, like Julie Allemand turning the corner off a pair of staggered screens for a deep paint touch and then kicking it out to an open Laura Juskaite in the corner, were ending in negative outcomes, like that quality look clanking off the side of the rim. Or Mabrey picking off an outlet pass for the second time, but failing to convert the transition layup as Jewell Loyd hustled back to turn the easy opportunity into a contested miss.

Oh, that early rebounding edge? Now a 16-16 deadlock after 20 minutes.

 “I mean, look, Vegas is the champion three times in the last four (years). This is a terrific basketball team with excellent players … So, there’s certainly no shame in losing against a team like Vegas,” Lange said after the loss about how his team has struggled being consistent defensively through roster volatility. We have players that have been in and out of our lineups. We also, as you may or may not know, throughout the year, you go through scheme and execution changes as you play teams and as you evolve as a team and players who are not actively involved in that process now come in and have to build the chemistry and understand that and it plays of course a big role in our defensive execution.

“And then on top of it, I mean you play some of the best players in the world who are really good one-on-one threats and we had no solution for A’ja or Jackie Young today, who are some of the best players in the world. So, it’s a little bit of everything and we can certainly do better in our scheme and execution and our overall one-on-one execution.”

It was evident that the Tempo’s path back into the game was going to be by throwing the earlier and harder punches in the second half. But while they managed to let off a couple of jabs, a Harrison put-back here, an Allemand wing-triple there, the Aces kept responding with haymakers. Whether it was Young pulling up and cashing one of her four threes on the night, or it was Gray carving up the Tempo’s defence (like with an absolutely absurd behind-the-back bounce-pass), the buckets kept getting louder as the 8,210 in attendance got quieter.

Las Vegas carried an 86-65 lead into the final frame and never let its foot off the gas. Despite carrying a lead that ballooned as high as 28 points the rest of the way, Wilson checked back in midway through the frame and kept pouring it on. The four-time MVP finished with a game-high 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting to go with six rebounds, four assists and four blocks. As for Young and Gray, they chipped in 24 and 14 points, along with 12 and seven assists, respectively.

“Just taking this mental break right now to rest our bodies, because like Olaf was saying, we have people in and out, injuries left and right. So, really resting,” Harrison said of her mindset heading into All-Star weekend. “But coming in and having the mindset of just being tough, I can live with a lot of different things that might not go well, but we just have to be tougher. And be ready to face these teams that we have coming up after the break.”

With the loss, the Tempo enter the franchise’s first All-Star break with a 10-16 record following a 2-7 homestand and riding a three-game skid to sit 11th in the WNBA standings. While Marina Mabrey takes part in the festivities for the first time in her career, the rest of the team will have a week off for some much-needed recovery as they prepare to visit the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx on June 28 for the first of back-to-back matchups in a home-and-home split.

“I’ve never really been there as an All-Star, so I don’t really know what I’m looking for, but I mean, it’s going to be a fun game and it’s the best players in the world,” Mabrey said when asked for her thoughts heading to Chicago for All-Star weekend. “So, just going to take it in and be grateful and try to have as much fun as I can.”

The post Tempo fall to Aces, end homestand on low note first appeared on Raptors Republic.

Whether it’s a draft pick proving he belongs, a veteran fighting for another NBA opportunity or an undrafted player trying to earn a contract, this is where first impressions are made.

Toronto had plenty of positives during its 3-1 run, but these three players stood above the rest.

1. Allen Graves

Let’s start with the obvious one. Allen Graves looked every bit like a first-round pick.

The No. 19 selection in the 2026 NBA Draft didn’t just put up numbers; he impacted games in pretty much every way possible. He averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, three assists, 2.3 steals and a block while shooting 51 percent from the field and an absurd 50 percent from beyond the arc.

While the shooting was impressive, it actually wasn’t the biggest surprise. What stood out most was how complete his game looked. One possession he’d be drilling a catch-and-shoot three. The next he’d be diving on the floor for a loose ball, grabbing an offensive rebound or picking someone’s pocket on the defensive end.

His passing also turned a lot of heads. Graves spent time playing point guard in high school, and those instincts showed up all week. He consistently made the extra pass, found cutters and never looked rushed with the ball in his hands.

Graves also showed he has a relentless motor. He runs the floor every chance he gets, competes defensively and doesn’t need the ball to make an impact. That’s exactly the identity Darko Rajakovic has been preaching, and Graves looked like he had already been in the system for years.

If this week was any indication, Toronto may have landed another draft steal, and fans should be really excited about what is next.​

2. Seth Lundy

It probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that Seth Lundy looked so comfortable.

At 26 years old, he was one of the older players on a Summer League roster and already has NBA experience under his belt after appearing in nine games with the Atlanta Hawks during the 2023-24 season. That experience showed.

Lundy was one of the Raptors’ most consistent players from start to finish, averaging 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 52 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from three on eight attempts per game.

His shooting immediately stood out. After watching Toronto struggle from deep for much of last season, Lundy looked like someone who could help solve that problem. Whether it was spotting up on the wing or pulling up in transition, he shot the ball with confidence every game.

Lundy made an impact defensively too, averaging nearly two steals per game. His biggest moment came against the Indiana Pacers, when he rose up to block Rienk Mast’s potential game-winning shot at the buzzer, preserving the Raptors’ win with arguably the defensive play of Summer League.

3. Nate Bittle

The former Oregon standout built a reputation as one of the best shot-blockers in program history, finishing his Ducks career with 176 blocks — good for second all-time at Oregon. That defensive ability showed up almost immediately in Toronto’s first Summer League game.

Bittle opened the week by swatting away six shots against the Boston Celtics, showing everyone why his size and timing could make him valuable at an NBA level.

However, one of the biggest reasons Bittle stood out is that he showed that he isn’t just a traditional big man. Think Brook Lopez. A player who can protect the rim on one end and stretch the floor on the other.

That shooting ability was on full display in Toronto’s Summer League finale against Miami. Bittle finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocks in just 18 minutes, while knocking down three of his four attempts from beyond the arc.

The seven-footer showed he can impact the game without needing a ton of touches.  There is still plenty of development ahead, but the tools are easy to see.

​What’s next?

At the end of the day, Summer League is all about finding small wins, and the Raptors certainly had plenty of them in Las Vegas. Now Toronto needs to figure out its roster coming into training camp. Graves, of course, will be on that roster as he was a first-round draft pick. How Toronto decides to integrate its Summer-League standouts will be a big piece of business before training camp begins.

The post Three Standouts from the Raptors’ 2026 Summer League performance first appeared on Raptors Republic.