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Is Raptors’ RJ Barrett ‘The Scapegoat’ Or ‘The Odd Man Out?’

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Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett

The Toronto Raptors are preparing to take the next step forward in their rebuild. Like any process, success takes time. It also involves tough decision-making. So far, that’s led to the Ontario-based franchise to trade Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby while letting Fred VanVleet leave in free agency. Those players have been replaced by Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley.

In a vacuum, the Raptors have upgraded their core with those moves alone. However, this hasn’t led to them becoming a better team just yet. This is partly due to the fact that Ingram has yet to suit up for the Raptors. Furthermore, Barnes and Quickley have missed a chunk of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 season, respectively. With that being said, Toronto really hasn’t gotten a chance to see what their remodeled roster can do.

That’s what makes it so strange that the Raptors have already been considering trading Barrett though. It would be one thing if he was stinking up the joint. Instead, the 24-year-old has been their best player this season.

RJ Barrett’s Numbers Don’t Lie

Scottie Barnes, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is undoubtedly the face of the franchise. Ingram may eventually usurp him because he has more star power and is a more skilled scorer. Nevertheless, nobody on Toronto’s roster has outperformed Barrett in 2024-25, at least offensively.

Barnes is averaging 19.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game on .450-.269-.778 splits. Ingram is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on .465-.374-.855 splits. Barrett is averaging 21.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks per game on .476-.353-.655 splits.

Frankly, Barnes’s counting stats are the most well-rounded, but his scoring game isn’t. Again, that title belongs to Ingram. However, the Raptors’ trade deadline acquisition has only played 18 games this season and has yet to make his team debut. Then there’s Barrett, who has played 48 games this season, more than either Ingram or Barnes.

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He also has the team’s highest scoring average, their second-highest rebounding average, and their second-highest assist average in 2024-25.

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Numbers don’t reflect a player’s entire game, but they help paint the picture. With that in mind, when it was reported that Toronto wanted to get Barnes more help, it already sounded as if Barrett’s game was being undersold. Now that Barrett’s considered a legitimate trade candidate, it’s even more off-putting.

Why is it that the top performer on the team is the one who’s being pushed out?

Raptors’ Scapegoat Or Odd Man Out?

Perhaps Barrett’s just a scapegoat for the Raptors lack of success. It’s easier to say Barnes needs another star beside him than that his scoring bag isn’t big enough. It’s easier to point to him when the Raptors are losing than Quickley because he’s actually been on the court consistently.

Maybe he’s simply the odd man out. Theoretically, if Ingram and Barnes are Toronto’s No. 1 and No. 2 option, they’d be best with an off-ball shooter beside them. There’s a reason why the Phoenix Suns’ Big 3 is struggling to get their team to the Promised Land and it isn’t because they lack talent. Though many people consider the teams that stack stars to be in the best position to win, stacking those players without consideration for their fit is foolhardy.

It’s possible that it’s a bit of both though. The Raptors are in a somewhat unenviable position with Barnes not emerging as their clear-cut best player. It doesn’t help that they now have several perimeter players who aren’t just better at scoring inside the arc but have limitations scoring beyond it.

If they were willing, Toronto’s Core 4 (Barnes, Ingram, Barrett, Quickley) could lead a balanced attack. The Raptors adding a shooting coach, or just more reliable three-point shooters around them, could go a long way. To that point, if Toronto invests in a stretch center, the paint won’t be as clogged.

All that’s really sure is that Barrett’s not being valued enough.

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