Analyzing The Toronto Raptors' Bench Depth Heading Into A New Season

Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Toronto Raptors look to be one of the more under the radar teams to have a standout season, and for good reason.

Just about the majority of the offseason was centered around the acquisition of forward Kawhi Leonard and the investigation that came with it, which recently concluded with an outcome that may put the Los Angeles Clippers in a position of mediocrity for years to come. However, fortunately for the Raptors, no penalties were directly given to Leonard that will impact his presence on the team.

It took a while for the investigation to complete, and though the trade is still not completely finalized, Leonard is just about set to join Toronto. He will join forces with Scottie Barnes to presumably create one of the league’s top forward tandems, as the two’s dynamic playstyles both offensively and defensively will make things difficult for their opponents.

On paper, the Raptors’ starting roster is just about set. Guards Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett will likely pair with the forward duo, all complimented by Jakob Poeltl at the center position. But the real X-factor to the Raptors’ success will have to be the depth to carry them far.

While their starting rotation looks to be among the league’s most complete, it is no secret that Toronto will need a bolstered bench to complement that. At the moment, the Raptors do own the makings of a solid bench and depth chart.

Toronto’s backcourt options on their bench consist of a pair of young spark plugs with strong potentials of high upside. Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter each offer a dynamic skillset upon entering the court.

Shead’s expertise is his ability to be an on-ball defender at a strong level, while also playing the playmaker role when needed. Walter offers a strong scoring upside with the ability to expand his game all over the court as a shooter — he shot 40.9% from three last season.

Behind Leonard and Barnes, the Raptors will back them up with a few dynamic options. 

Veteran forward Kyle Anderson, known for his slow-tempo yet effective playmaking, offers strong versatility as a tall forward. Collin Murray-Boyles, a 6-foot-7 forward who plays an interior game and can even man down the center position, is another option the Raptors will rely on this season off the bench. 

Allen Graves, the Raptors’ first round pick in the 2026 draft, is another intriguing name to keep an eye on this upcoming season. He can play both small and power forward and owns the ability to shoot and play with length. 

One notable area of minimal experience on the team is the backup center position, which is held currently by Trayce Jackson-Davis. Jamison Battle and Trey Jemison III are other options on their roster at center, though both also lack continuous playing time in their careers.