These underrated rookies are helping the Raptors find wins in losses

The NBA can be a funny, upside-down place.

A winning team that isn't quite living up to expectations can spend every day in full-blown crisis mode, while a rebuilding squad that's lost roughly 70% of its games can emit immaculate vibes.

The Raptors fall into the latter category, having so far managed to outperform expectations everywhere but the win column. It's easy to keep things light when you openly admit on media day that it will be a rebuilding year, but it's easier still when the goals of a rebuild are being met.

The ultimate goal of landing another franchise-changing talent will have to wait for the draft lottery and the draft itself (unless the full-strength Raptors prove too good to tank). However, if Toronto wanted to boost its lottery odds while developing as much young talent as possible, then mission accomplished so far.

While the play of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, and even veteran center Jakob Poeltl have been positive developments in Toronto's big-picture plans, perhaps the most surprising twist has been the production the Raptors are getting from four rookies.

Without the benefit of their own 2024 first-rounder, the Raptors might've snagged the best crop of rookies anyway. None of the team's freshmen project as future stars, but it looks like Toronto found at least three rotation players in what was billed as the worst draft class in at least 11 years. Given the structure of rookie contracts and salaries, such surplus value can be incredibly advantageous when filling out a roster in an apron world.

Second-round picks Jonathan Mogbo and Jamal Shead, in addition to the undrafted Jamison Battle, all rank top 20 in total rookie minutes, while first-rounder Ja'Kobe Walter has started five straight games since returning from the second shoulder injury of his young career.

"One thing I like about the rookies on our team is they're not afraid," head coach Darko Rajakovic said. "They're not afraid of the moment. They're not afraid to step on the court and play hard. When you play hard and you have your heart in the right place to play for your team, good things happen."

Still, Rajakovic acknowledges the two-way challenges that come from playing so many inexperienced professionals, joking that he doesn't know which end of the court brings a steeper learning curve.

"One day it seems like it's offense, and then you play the next game and it's the defense," Rajakovic laughed. "In the long term, it's the defensive things for rookies. Learning the game, learning how the NBA works, being able to sniff out what actions are coming their way. In the NBA, if you're a half-step late, you're too late."

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault knows what it's like to coach young teams that are rich in enthusiasm but short on NBA know-how. "It's a very patterned game that you learn the patterns of. Later in your career, you can anticipate more, because you've seen the pictures. Early in your career, you haven't seen them yet. You're learning them.

"But there's benefits to coaching a young team," Daigneault told theScore before Thursday's win in Toronto, noting that young players are often hungrier and eager to prove themselves. "There's a lot of energy behind that. There's a lot of horsepower behind that, and we've always found that to be very invigorating. It's a long season, and when you've got guys excited to play basketball every night, that's a benefit."

Toronto has lost the second-most value to injury this season, so Rajakovic has sometimes found himself fielding lineups featuring three or four rookies on the court at once.

"There are obviously some really good stretches, but there are moments as well where they look like rookies," Rajakovic told theScore after a November loss to the Lakers. "The game is very fast. You're playing against experienced players that know how to read every inch of the mistakes that you might be making. You're over-thinking, and those guys know how to punish that. But the only way you learn that is getting experience on the court against some of the best players in the world."

That experience is paying immediate dividends. A Raptors team that ranked last in defensive efficiency through its first 11 games has hovered around the top 10 since Nov. 12, with Walter, Mogbo, Battle, and Shead all averaging 12-22 minutes per game during that improved stretch. Only the last-place Wizards are giving more of the team's minutes to rookies.

Here's a quick look at what the Raptors have in each rookie.

Ja'Kobe Walter

Selected with the 19th pick acquired from Indiana in last year's Pascal Siakam trade, Walter's debut was delayed by a sprained shoulder that kept him out of training camp. Still, those around the team have raved about Walter's maturity and approach while sidelined, noting that young players don't always make the most of such time.

"I think I was getting better in different ways (while not playing)," Walter told reporters after a 12-point effort in a win over Miami. "Watching a lot of film with my coaches and talking through the games (on the bench) with my teammates helped me for this experience right now." Rajakovic also noted how impressed he was by Walter's conditioning work while out of the lineup.

As a 6-foot-5 guard with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Walter is capable of wreaking havoc on the defensive end. He's an active and disruptive defender who fits in well given Rajakovic's newfound focus on ball pressure. His length also makes him an above-average rebounder for a guard, which in turn helps him push the pace and fuel the fast breaks his head coach wants.

Walter's offense, in general, is a work in progress. He missed 24 of his first 29 3-point attempts after shooting 34.1% from deep at Baylor. His constant movement and off-ball motor will lead to easier opportunities at the rim, and Rajakovic has noted that the Raptors identified that Gradey Dick-like quality in Walter as a prospect. "He has that potential, and we're very intentional working with him on that. With his workouts and everything, we're trying to make him very active off the ball and to always be on the run."

Jonathan Mogbo

Selected with the 31st pick acquired from New York (via Detroit) in last year's OG Anunoby trade, Mogbo's earning playing time with his relentless energy and nose for the ball. The only thing more impressive than his explosive leaping ability is his second jump, with the big man often levitating again while opponents are merely loading up or still descending from their first jump.

That's what makes the 6-foot-9 forward an elite NBA rebounder already. Among 240 players who've logged at least 300 minutes this season, Mogbo's offensive rebound rate of 16.1% ranks third, per Stathead. Mogbo is arguably the best rebounder on the league's best offensive-rebounding team. His ability to create extra shots for the shooting-starved Raptors gives him offensive utility, even if his overall skill set still needs to be rounded out.

The long-term vision is clear when you see Mogbo at his best. He can be a versatile, switchable defensive big who grabs a rebound, brings the ball up, makes the type of pass that keeps an offense humming, and shoots the occasional 3-pointer to complement his interior scoring. It might be a while before the 23-year-old reserve puts all those skills together, but a top-tier rebounder who brings consistent and infectious energy off the bench will always be in demand.

It also doesn't hurt when you're the franchise player's childhood friend.

Jamal Shead

Selected with the 45th pick acquired from Sacramento in the Jalen McDaniels trade, Shead is the Raptors rookie who has looked most like a rookie. The undersized guard hasn't been star-struck or shy, and the effort of an on-ball pest is there, but Shead's decision-making needs to improve (on both ends).

The undersized guard can be too aggressive and eager at times, resulting in a boatload of fouls, particularly on jump shooters. Shead owns the highest foul percentage among guards who've played 300 minutes this season and the second highest among 240 players who've logged as many minutes, per Cleaning the Glass. On the offensive end, Shead has the instincts of a pass-first point guard, but he can also try to force passes that just aren't there. Among 30 point guards who've played 250-plus minutes, only Ben Simmons and Scoot Henderson turn the ball over at a higher rate, per Cleaning the Glass.

Shead's shooting woes compound those turnover issues. They've also led to defenders helping off of him, which can cramp the floor for Barnes, so it's been encouraging to see him knock down eight of his last 18 long-range attempts.

Shead could use some development time in the G League, which should come when starting point guard Immanuel Quickley returns to the Raptors' lineup, but I still think there's a scrappy NBA reserve in there somewhere. His defense should stabilize as the game slows down for him and he dials it back a bit, and we've seen smaller guards find a way with their playmaking. The question is whether his shooting will ever come around.

Jamison Battle

Undrafted out of Ohio State (his third college program), Battle's been a revelation for the Raptors. The 6-foot-7 marksman knows his role and carries himself with the steely calm of every great shooter.

Among the 250 players who've logged the most minutes this season, Battle's 3-point attempt rate of 75.3% ranks 12th, per Stathead. Meanwhile, his 3-point percentage (42.5%) tops all qualified rookie shooters. Those marks have put the lefty on opposing scouting reports, but the 23-year-old is simply unflappable. He's already mastered the arts of side-step threes and patiently waiting for a defender to fly by before pulling the trigger on his jumper.

It's impressive to be this great a shooter when everyone in the arena knows you're going to let it fly, but the next step for Battle will be varying his offense somewhat to keep defenses guessing. Based on some of the craftiness and finishing he's flashed the few times he's attacked closeouts, the Raptors might've really struck gold here when it comes to shooting and scoring talent in an undrafted prospect. The only question now is when his two-way contract will be converted to a standard NBA deal.

Bonus rookie: Ulrich Chomche

What? You forgot about the fifth Raptors rookie to log NBA minutes this season? The 57th and youngest selection in the 2024 draft, Chomche played five minutes on opening night but has since been a full-time G Leaguer. He's the biggest project among the quintet, and his offensive skills are incredibly raw, but there are those who will tell you he has the highest ceiling of any Raptors rookie.

Chomche, a Cameroonian big man and product of NBA Academy Africa, is much more of an NBA prospect on the defensive end. The near 7-footer with a 9-foot-1 standing reach ranks fifth in blocks per game (2.8) in the G League. However, he's also committing 6.5 fouls per 36 minutes.

Joseph Casciaro is theScore's lead Raptors and NBA writer.