Raptors All-Star Forward Intends to Sign Highest-Paid Deal in the Franchise’s History
It had just been reported that Toronto Raptors all-star forward Scottie Barnes intends to sign a five-year maximum rookie extension that could be worth up to 270 million dollars. Once signed, he will become the highest-paid player in Raptors history. While Barnes is certainly a franchise cornerstone to Toronto, this team just finished the 2024 season missing the playoffs with a 25-57 record. Now that he’s paid, can the Raptors all-star focus in on getting this team back into playoff contention? Toronto’s President Masai Ujiri is certainly glad to get this deal done and lock down a crucial young talent for the future.
Barnes played in 60 games last season. In 35 minutes of action a game, he averaged around 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block. He shot a career-high from three at 34 percent. On December 23rd during a 126-119 loss to the Utah Jazz, the Raptors all-star forward dropped a season-high of 32 points along with recording 14 rebounds, seven assists, and a block. During the 2023 season, Barnes somewhat experienced playoff basketball when the Raptors made the Play-In Tournament, however, they lost to the eventual Eastern Conference champions, the Miami Heat. He will certainly like to get the Raptors back in the playoff hunt.
What does this extension mean for Toronto’s future? Now, with Barnes there for the long haul, the Raptors can now build around the all-star forward and set their sights back on another NBA championship. Depending on their offseason moves, if this Raptors team has the same core of players, Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, Toronto may be gambling on the chance for all three of these guys to develop further, to an All-NBA or for Barrett and Quickley’s sake all-star potential. Most likely, if this team doesn’t start off well during the first few months of the 2024-2025 NBA regular season, look for them to bolster the roster, and find a dynamic partner for Barnes.
