The Toronto Raptors may have signed Dennis Schroder to the roster after parting ways with former All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet, but he may not have the starting point guard job locked down. The idea of using Scottie Barnes in that role is looking better by the day.
Barnes may not be a prototypical point guard due to his size, but this is the role he played in high school and during his collegiate days with Florida State. Barnes’ passing is already extremely impressive, and the Raptors were clearly smitten with it when they decided to draft him.
The Raptors could keep Gary Trent Jr. in the starting lineup if they move Barnes to point guard, put Schroder on the bench in a Sixth Man role, and allow him to fulfill his dream of becoming a bigger facilitator at the next level. At a time when the point guard position has never been deeper, Scottie will have some tough competition.
NBA point guard tier list: Where would Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes rank?
Tier 7: Replacement Level
30. Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls
29. Tre Jones, San Antonio Spurs
28. Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards
27. Derrick White, Boston Celtics
26. Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
Dosunmu, who was being targeted by the Raptors for quite some time, could end up wiggling into the starting lineup after signing a long-term deal. Both Jones brothers will take their low-turnover style of play to the starting lineup, though neither of their teams are expected to compete for the postseason.
White is an unspectacular starter who likely won’t move the needle too much, but the former Spurs guard has a habit of coming through when Joe Mazzulla needs a bucket. Even on a team that features Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs, Fultz continues to get minutes as a starter.
NBA point guard tier list: Scottie Barnes is better than Collin Sexton.
Tier 6: Solid, if uninspiring
25. Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat
24. Mike Conley, Minnesota Timberwolves
23. Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz
22. Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets
Lowry’s effectiveness may have slowed with age, but he is still effective enough to where the Heat can trust him to play big minutes and effectively orchestrate the offense. The same can be said of Conley, who has become an elder statesman for a young Timberwolves team.
While Sexton may never break out into the star many assumed he would be, he will give Utah a consistent scorer who can fill it up with ease. While Dinwiddie was exposed in the postseason, his size and exceptional passing ability make him someone teams still have to plan around.