Like the Grizzlies and the Magic, the Toronto Raptors won the 2025 NBA Draft by drafting great defensive prospects. In particular, the Raptors selected South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles in the first round. As for the second round, Toronto took Florida guard Alijah Martin.
Both players have certainly distinguished themselves as excellent defenders in college. Not only that, but they also demonstrated talent in other areas of their game. That talent and skill were showcased in Summer League, where both players flashed their potential. They were able to help Toronto win four of the five games played in Las Vegas.
Considering their skills and upside, Murray-Boyles and Martin can certainly help the team, both now and into the future. Let’s dive into the three reasons why the Toronto Raptors won the 2025 NBA Draft.
3 Reasons Why The Toronto Raptors Won The 2025 NBA Draft
#1: Off The Charts On Defense
A significant reason for the Raptors’ success is the overall defensive focus of their draft class and how it adds to their defensive identity. As mentioned before, Murray-Boyles and Martin are both great defensive players at their positions in college. Murray-Boyles grades out as a versatile defender who uses his strength, physical tools, and basketball IQ to place defensive pressure on opposing offenses. He is capable of guarding multiple positions and has the versatility to be a switchable defender at the NBA level. What’s most impressive about Murray-Boyles is his excellent basketball IQ and defensive processing. He is great at quickly reading what’s happening on the court and can make plays off of that. That clearly translates into his excellence as a defensive playmaker, where he averaged 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
As for Martin, he can certainly be described as a pit bull on defense. He is constantly hounding opposing players, using his physicality and athleticism to stay in front of his man and keep them away from the basket. Despite only being six-foot-two, Martin’s strength and athleticism also help him guard up the lineup, allowing him to defend taller players. Those aspects of his game grant Martin the ability to be a switchable defender as well. Considering the collective talent that these two rookies bring, they can both help fortify a Raptors team that has been trending toward a defensive identity.
#2: Positive Passing
While the defense both rookies bring is a massive positive, the flashes of what they bring on offense are also a success for Toronto. Both Murray-Boyles and Martin have demonstrated themselves as good passers. Murray-Boyles, in particular, has shown great proficiency as a passer during his time at South Carolina, especially since he was heavily relied upon as the primary offensive option. He is great at staying aware of any opportunity to get the ball to an open teammate. Furthermore, Murray-Boyles is solid at reading defenses and keeping the ball moving in various passing roles.
Martin isn’t on the level of a point guard in terms of passing; however, he is solid at making the correct pass. He does have good enough vision to find open teammates when he is drawing the defense to himself.
#3: Revving Motor
It cannot be overstated how much a success it is to draft players who just play hard. In that aspect, the Raptors succeed in drafting two players who play like that. Both Murray-Boyles and Martin have shown themselves to be extremely hard workers on the court who consistently play with effort. That energy and motor most clearly translate into their defensive abilities.
Murray-Boyles is constantly looking to make the extra play and is always scanning for mistakes on the defensive end. Martin is always looking to keep himself in front of his man and find ways to stay in the play. Those actions all take effort, and both players clearly demonstrate that. Unquestionably, Toronto got two players who will give it their all on the floor.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The post 3 Reasons Why The Toronto Raptors Won The 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.