3 best things new addition Will Barton brings to the Toronto Raptors
By Mike Luciano
2. Postseason experience
Some may scoff at the idea of Barton’s postseason history being difference-making for the Raptors, as multiple players on this team have already gone through the postseason grind multiple times and come out with a championship. However, there’s no such thing as too many playoff battle scars.
Barton averaged 11.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in the postseason with the Nuggets, mostly serving as Denver’s instant offense on the bench. If Toronto gets anything even approximating that production in a playoff series, they will likely be jumping for joy.
Will Barton adds veteran leadership to the Toronto Raptors.
Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. are still in their formative basketball years despite last season’s playoff push, and new acquisition Jakob Poeltl was wasting away in complete anonymity in San Antonio. Putting someone like Barton in the fold might be able to help everyone hit the ground running.
Barton assuredly had contenders trying to sign him, but the idea of getting extended playing time as a member of the Toronto rotation appealed to him. Another veteran mind around the team’s young playmakers will help steel their nerves in April and May.