Raptors: 3 players who could shine without Scottie Barnes

1. OG Anunoby

In Anunoby’s first game this year without Barnes in the lineup, all he did was set a new career-high with 36 points while limiting Julius Randle to just four points after the first quarter. In a year where he will be asked to take a major offensive leap, Anunoby just showed how far along he is in making that jump.

After scoring just 12.5 points per game in his first two contests, Anunoby has stepped on the gas pedal in the last few games, averaging 25.0 per game on 45% shooting and 37% from 3-point range. The growth he’s taken on offense this year has made him one of the best two-way players in the game today.

Without Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby must lead the Toronto Raptors

Anunoby has improved offensively in every season since he came into the league, as he has evolved from a limited spot-shooter into a creator willing to score at will inside and out when he gets into a rhythm.

Barnes and Anunoby have already shown they can thrive together, and every point of data we have suggests that Pascal Siakam will mesh well with these players, but the time for Anunoby to really show what he’s made of on the offensive end. The Knicks game was as good of a start as he could’ve hoped for.