4 important bench players for the Toronto Raptors' upcoming season

We're less than two months out from tipoff of the Toronto Raptors’ 2026–27 season, when they host the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 21.

There are high expectations for the upcoming season after the Raptors posted their best record in four years (46-36), plus the pending trade acquisition of Kawhi Leonard. Quite frankly, the Kawhi trade turns this young Raptors team from pretenders to contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Though the Raptors aren't the Eastern Conference team that has improved over the offseason. Toronto will need more than just a 35-year-old, seven-time All-Star, and two-time NBA Finals MVP to make a serious run at the NBA title, and that starts with the role players.

Here are four bench players that'll play an important role this upcoming season

Jamal Shead

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Jamal Shead is entering his third season with Toronto and was one of the team's most important bench pieces last season, playing 22.6 minutes per game while averaging 6.6 points and 5.4 assists.

The 24-year-old guard's ability to see the floor is second to none, as he led all NBA bench players in assists per game last season. He's also proved he can be a reliable second option behind Immanuel Quickley, who has missed a total of 74 games for Toronto since the 2023-24 season.

If Quickley misses more time, Shead could find himself playing a huge role in Toronto's backcourt again.

Ja'Kobe Walter

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Ja'Kobe Walter filled a much-needed role for the Raptors last season as the three-point shooter the team desperately needed off the bench.

He made 110 of his 269 attempts from beyond the arc last season, the fourth-most three-pointers on the team, and finished among the team leaders in three-point percentage.

In the playoffs, Walter saw his minutes increase with the absence of Quickley and the now-traded Brandon Ingram, although his offensive numbers took a hit as his role increased.

The 21-year-old's role with the Raptors heading into his third season is bound to increase; the question is whether his production will follow.

Allen Graves

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Even though Raptors rookie Allen Graves might have been one of the most NBA-ready players in the 2026 NBA Draft, expectations shouldn't be too high for the 20-year-old forward out of Santa Clara University.

The Raptors will look to Graves to be a physical, reliable defender off the bench who can provide some relief minutes for Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles.

The 19th overall pick's style of play has already stood out to Raptors fans in his four NBA Summer League games, averaging 16.8 points on 51 per cent shooting, along with 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals. If even half those numbers can translate off the bench in the regular season, Toronto will have one of the best rookies in the 2026 class.

Kyle Anderson

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Besides Leonard (asterisk), Kyle Anderson was one of the Raptors' biggest offseason additions, plus he already has some familiarity playing with Kawhi from their time together with the San Antonio Spurs.

At 6-foot-8, Anderson is a versatile player who can defend multiple positions and fit into almost any tactical scheme. He should slide naturally into Toronto's rotation and, like Graves, provide some much-needed relief at the forward position — something the Raptors lacked last season.

Anderson has made a name for himself over his 12 NBA seasons as a playmaking forward who can effectively move the ball and create opportunities for scorers like Leonard and Barnes.