In a game filled with injuries for the Toronto Raptors, they suffered an expected 118-102 loss to the surprisingly good Memphis Grizzlies. After trading away their star-studded big three of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, many expected the Grizzlies to be rebuilding this year; that is, until they started the year 6-0. 

Nonetheless, for the Raptors to have a chance in this one, they needed RJ Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter to step up in a big way offensively, and neither was able to at the level that was needed. Barrett contributed 19 points, the second-highest on the team, but his shooting splits were 33/17/44. Walter, who was expected to take a significant leap in his third year, has been extremely underwhelming thus far. In Leonard’s absence, he’s seen an increased role with the starting unit, and he still hasn’t been able to match his previous production, averaging just 11 points per game on 39/33/65 splits. Last night, he scored just 12 points on 4-for-13 shooting and 2-for-7 from three. 

Just because the focal points of the offense weren’t on top of their game doesn’t mean it was all bad. Specifically, there are three players who have thrived over the last few games and could prove to be essential to Toronto’s success this season once everyone’s healthy. 

After being drafted in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft, Shead proved his worth with his pesky defense and ability to consistently make winning plays. His biggest weakness has been his lack of a scoring arsenal, specifically when it comes to outside shooting. That hasn’t materialized just yet this season, shooting 36% from the field and 27% from three through 10 games. However, it appears he is ascending to the next level in the areas he was known to be good at: playmaking and on-ball defense. 

With Immanuel Quickley out in the last two contests, Shead got the start in both games and has made the most of the opportunity. In 70 total minutes, he’s contributed 30 points, 27 assists, four steals, and just four turnovers. Toronto has lacked a true playmaker for years, and Scottie Barnes has had to develop that skill to ignite the Raptors' half-court offense. With Shead on the floor, there is much better flow to the offense, along with off-ball movement and open shots. Not to mention, he is proving to help out Jakob Poeltl, who was in dire need of finding his rhythm again. 

There may not be another member of the Raptors who has been under as much scrutiny as the starting center. His three-year, $84 million extension is set to kick in next season, and it has looked like a nightmare transaction from the day it was signed. Poeltl was severely limited last season due to a lower back strain; he sat out for 24 straight games and wasn’t quite able to bring the physicality or aggressiveness that Toronto needed after he returned. 

The Austrian big man came into this season with a new level of optimism because of a new training regimen he began with a different strength and conditioning coach. While that didn’t appear to translate to great basketball to start the year, the past two games have seemed to be a revelation. He has supplied 37 points, 19 rebounds, five blocks, and four steals on 18-for-26 shooting. These are the numbers that the Raptors expect him to put up nightly playing alongside Barnes and seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard, and while it may be an adjustment splitting minutes with Collin Murray-Boyles, he needs to find a way to maintain this level as an interior threat on both ends.