With Summer League officially wrapped up, the Raptors leave Las Vegas with a lot more positives than negatives.
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.
