3 most unforgettable Toronto Raptors moments from 2021

2. The selection of Scottie Barnes

Barnes’ selection caused some Raptors fans plenty of consternation, as many expected Gonzaga point guard Jalen Suggs to come off the board at No. 4 instead of the Florida State dynamo. After a dynamic start to his rookie season, Barnes has cemented himself as a long-term piece.

While Suggs struggles with an inconsistent start in Orlando, Barnes has put his name right next to Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley. Barnes is averaging 15.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in his first NBA action, showing off all of the skills that enticed Masai Ujiri.

Scottie Barnes looks like a long-term piece for the Toronto Raptors.

While Barnes was projected to be a do-it-all forward in his rookie year, his contributions on the offensive end have far exceeded what many thought he was capable of at this point. Barnes is asserting himself in the post, running the floor very well, and shooting from 3-point range.

Not only has Barnes smashed expectations on the offensive end of the floor, but he’s done so while correcting some of the flaws that plagued him on both ends during his college career. Barnes is an integral part of Ujiri’s vision for the future, as those draft-day questions have turned into a chorus of cheers.