Any team facing the Toronto Raptors’ second unit this season can expect a rough patch as soon as they approach the three-point arc.
Depth at the guard position has been an issue for the Raptors since All-Star Kyle Lowry was sent to the Miami Heat in the 2021 offseason. But a series of trades and smart draft picks in 2024 rebuilt Toronto’s entire roster, including new depth at the guard position.
Grady Dick was selected 13th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and has developed into the Raptors’ presumptive starting shooting guard. A trade with the New York Knicks last December brought Immanuel Quickley to Toronto as a point guard, and a draft day deal on June 27 brought Davion Mitchell of the Sacramento Kings to Toronto as his backup.
Ja’Kobe Walter, who can play one guard or two guard, was selected 19th overall in this summer’s NBA draft, and Jamal Shead was selected 45th overall using the pick acquired from the Kings as part of the Mitchell deal.
This young guard class (Mitchell is the oldest at 26) means the Raptors can put consistent pressure on anyone playing on the perimeter.
“That was one of the main reasons they drafted me and it was preached all training camp,” said Shead, who was flying all over the court in Toronto’s first preseason game on Sunday. “(Coach Darko Rajkovic) told us to play as hard as we can and give 100% in every position.
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“So that’s what I was going to do.”
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Shead scored 10 points and combined for nine assists with Mitchell and one turnover by Quickley (thumb) in the Raptors’ 125-89 preseason win over the Washington Wizards at the Bell Center in Montreal.
Shead, 22, who averaged 12.9 points, 6.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game in his fourth season in college in Houston, said it’s “very exciting” that he can disrupt other teams’ offenses.
“I think it gets the crowd and my teammates really excited when the other team fouls me and I get an offensive foul,” he said.
The Raptors played the Wizards again on Friday night. This time in Washington, D.C., Quickley participated in a full practice Thursday but was unable to play in the game. Walter sprained his shoulder.
All-Star forward Scottie Barnes, who is scheduled to play against the Wizards on Friday for his first in-game action since March 1, said the pressure Mitchell and Shedd put on the ball will make his role as a weak-side defender easier. .
“If (the opponent) passes, you can easily get a block,” Barnes said. “Keeping the ball and pushing it all over the court helps our defense overall.
“Those guys come to practice every day, and you know what’s expected of those guys.”
Rajakovic said Wednesday that he has liked Shead’s form this preseason.
“There are a lot of things he already has: competitiveness, winning mentality, dedication and attention to detail,” said Rajakovic after practice at the OVO Athletic Center. “He needs to learn the league and get into elite shape.
“When he does that, I think he’s a player who can have a great future in this league.”
Mitchell averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 0.5 steals over three NBA seasons in Sacramento. As a rotation player, Mitchell appeared in 227 games for the Kings, though he only made 32 starts.
His career numbers improved significantly to 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per 100 possessions.
Shead said practicing against Mitchell was like sharpening iron. Because Mitchell is such a strong defender, he prepared the NBA rookie for the speed of the professional game.
“It’s really hard when you have Davion guarding you,” Shead said after a preseason win in Montreal. “I tried to slow down a little bit today, but not having him in front of me opened things up.
“I just tried to play my best and in the end I ended up running a lot so speed wasn’t that much of an issue. I think not having Davion in front of me was really the best thing for me today.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
