3 Top 5 picks Raptors sensation Scottie Barnes is outperforming

1. Cade Cunningham

Cunningham is leading all rookies in scoring at 15.6 points per game, and he’s done so while occasionally grabbing a few triple-doubles here and there. While Cunningham has no doubt put himself back in the Rookie of the Year race, his former Montverde Academy teammate might be having a better year given the context of his numbers.

On top of the fact that Cunningham has struggled with consistency in his rookie season, his stats are just a bit less substantial than Barnes thanks to playing on a Pistons team that might end up with their second consecutive No. 1 pick. Barnes has played a part in pushing the Raptors towards the postseason.

Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes is more efficient than Cade Cunningham.

Both Cunningham and Barnes have proven to be strong on-ball defenders with some off-ball lapses, intuitive passers, and surprising shooters from deep. Where Barnes gets the edge is his finishing at the rim, defensive responsibilities, and his masterful ability to crash the glass on both ends.

The Pistons will eventually return to the playoffs in coms capacity on the back of Cunningham and whomever they take in the draft this year. That shouldn’t obscure the fact that Barnes’ numbers as the fifth scoring option on a playoff team can be viewed as more impressive than what Cunningham has done.