The Toronto Raptors are 1-1 to start 2025-26, going from feathering the Atlanta Hawks to being hung on the Milwaukee Bucks wall. Averaging 127.0 points per game (sixth in the NBA) with a 111.0 defensive rating (eighth in the NBA), they have the potential to be formidable at both ends. Early in the season, the difference between their win and loss has really just been their bench, which scored 48 points against the Hawks but 25 points against the Bucks. However, the player under the singular most pressure to play consistently is a starter: 2019 No. 3 pick RJ Barrett.
Raptors’ RJ Barrett Opens Up About Potential Contract Extension
Barrett, who the Raptors acquired prior to the 2023-24 deadline, has had a second life post-trade. Yet, while he’s a very valuable piece, it remains to be seen how he fits in Toronto’s current puzzle. In fact, as he awaits a contract extension, he’s well aware that’s the question the Raptors have.
“Realistically, those things don’t really happen until the end of the season anyway,” Barrett says of a potential contract extension, per Sportsnet’s Michael Grange. “I’m not really thinking about it.”
“OK, I lied,” he quickly admits, “I’m thinking about it. But more so I’m trying to focus on winning and making an impact here. When you do that, that’s how the rest gets taken care of.”
“Neither the Raptors nor Barrett’s representatives dug too deeply into the possibility of” an extension, Grange notes. The Raptors feel comfortable waiting to see how Barrett looks with the current iteration of their core. However, Barrett is more than willing to prove that he’s their guy.
Putting His Money Where His Mouth Is
Some may look at Barrett’s stats –namely his 3-point percentage (.429), assist average (3.5/g) or even his steals average (2.0/g) –and believe he’s making a conscious effort to transform himself. Yet, as he says, he’s “doing the same stuff” as before.
“Just trying to have my input on the game in all the ways I can. Just trying to have my imprint on the game and make the winning plays that I can. Just trying to win play winning basketball.”
Those who have been monitoring Barrett may remember how he started off his Raptors tenure. In the 32 games he played for Toronto in 2023-24, he converted 39.2% of his 3s (3.8 attempts/g) and averaged 4.1 assists per game. Considering he was also averaging 21.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, he was doing so well that a trade most considered the New York Knicks to have won outright had to be re-framed.
Last season, Barrett attempted to take his game to the next level, becoming an even more dynamic contributor. His counting stats –21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists per game –suggested he had done just that. His playmaking evolution in particular was praised. However, his steal average (0.8/g) and 3-point percentage (.350) were modest.
With that being said, his outside efficiency –or lack thereof –was the primary reason that people questioned whether he, franchise star Scottie Barnes and the recently acquired Brandon Ingram were a match. It isn’t often that a below-average (Barnes), streaky (Barrett) and slightly above-average (Ingram) 3-point threat start together, especially alongside a center (Jakob Poeltl) that doesn’t stretch the floor. For the quartet to be in-sync, at least one of Barnes or Barrett needed to become more consistent shooters.
The Last Word
Given how much Barrett genuinely loves playing for Toronto, one hopes that he does stick around.
Bearing that in mind, he looks far more like he did in the back half of 2023-24 than last season. That’s good. He’s making it even easier to visualize him as a future mainstay with his defensive pressure. With Ingram’s biggest question mark at that end, this is important.
Is he going to keep shooting 40%+ from 3 or averaging 2+ steals per game? It’s possible, even if improbable. However, what’s most important is that he’s more consistent in those areas than past seasons.
Frankly, even if he was doing everything he should be doing, it might not stop him from being traded. As the old adage goes, the NBA is a business. So, there’s really no telling whether an opportunity will present itself that makes trading Barrett an inevitability. Perhaps the Ingram trade itself is that opportunity. Nevertheless, as long as Barrett handles what’s in his control, he’ll put himself in a great position be with the Raptors for a few more years.
Or longer.
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