3 Raptors Players to Watch in Preseason Opener vs. Heat

Basketball is back as the Toronto Raptors open their preseason against the Miami Heat on Saturday, October 3. It’s been a long, drama-filled offseason, with the Kawhi Leonard saga making his trade to the Raptors uncertain amid allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the cap. 

But the trade was made official in September, allowing everyone to move on and point toward the start of the season; now Toronto has one of the more intriguing rosters in the league and could do some damage this season. 

As the Raptors take on the Heat, who should you watch? Let’s break down three Raptors players, focusing on younger pieces expected to make a jump or a rookie who has been trending up since being picked in the second round. 

Saturday’s game tips off at 7 pm ET. 

Jamal Shead

Shead recently signed a three-year, $24 million contract to stick with the Raptors after averaging 6.6 points per game in his second NBA season. Shead had a big postseason with the Raptors, averaging 9 points per game across their seven-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and reaching double figures three times, including a series-high 18 points in Toronto’s game-five loss to the Cavaliers. 

Shead is expected to lead the second unit on offense as a pass-first guard who plays gritty defense, drawing on his days with the Houston Cougars under Kelvin Sampson. Shead averaged 5.4 assists per game last season, good for 27th in the NBA. 

Ja’Kobe Walter

Walter is a candidate to make a big jump in his third year, with some pointing out that the combination of him, Jamal Shead, Kawhi Leonard, and Scottie Barnes could be one of the league's more dangerous defensive groups. 

Walter shot 40.9% from three last season and has a career mark of 38.5%. He was third on the Raptors in three-point percentage last season, behind A.J. Lawson and Jamison Battle. 

Jaden Bradley

Bradley had a huge year at Arizona in 2025-2026, winning Big 12 Player of the Year and leading to a second-round selection with the 50th overall pick. He apparently made a good impression on the Raptors' front office early because his two-way contract was converted into a standard deal paying him $9.3 million over four years. 

Bradley could also join the previously mentioned defensive group after posting 1.6 steals per game over two seasons at Arizona in 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, helping them become one of the better teams in the entire country.