The Toronto Raptors have emphatically planted their flag on Scottie Barnes island this offseason. The hiring of Darko Rajakovic and the decision to part ways with Fred VanVleet will likely lead to an enhanced role for the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year and springy young high-flyer.
While Barnes took a big step forward as a playmaker and made incremental steps forward as a defender, the fact his scoring was identical to what he put up as a rookie has led to concerns about his ceiling. Can he truly become a franchise player with flaws like that in his game?
The Raptors trust that Barnes can keep improving, which will require a touch of Rajakovic’s trademark developmental magic and Barnes’ internal improvement. While this is far from a guarantee, the Raptors will make sure that he has every tool at his disposal to give it a try.
If the Raptors give Barnes the starting point guard role and continue to insist that Dennis Schroder will be the team’s Sixth Man, Rajakovic could help set the stage for a Scottie breakout. Making good on these three goals could be one way for Barnes to show signs he is ready to assume a bigger role for this team.
3 realistic goals for Toronto Raptors young star Scottie Barnes.
Average six assists per game
Barnes played point guard in high school and in college at Florida State, so it stands to reason that he will not have too much trouble taking on a similar role in the 2023-24 season with the Raptors. VanVleet is a more refined playmaker, but Barnes’ potential may exceed that of his former teammate.
Barnes’ instincts, especially in transition, are phenomenal. When paired with the physical traits needed to make passes from unusual angles, he should have no issue getting the ball to Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. in advantageous situations. 6.0 assists per game seems fair for how much he’ll be on-ball.
Scottie Barnes needs to lead the Toronto Raptors in assists.
While Ja Morant is an entirely different player, the fact that Rajakovic helped contribute to a system that made him one of the league’s premier assist men in Memphis should give Raptors fans hope that Barnes can become one of the best young passers in the game.
While it is difficult for anyone to emulate the development of Siakam, he went from an offensive black hole to someone who was trusted to bring the ball up very often. Barnes is coming into the league with a stronger basic well of raw talent, which could produce a better point guard.
2. Shoot 35% from 3-point range
Barnes’ shooting was a question mark when he came into the league, but his solid mechanics and pure potential made it easy for the Raptors to get intoxicated thinking about what he could become if he fixes that flaw. Unfortunately, he took a minor step back in that area next season.
While the since-departed VanVleet drew criticism for his itchy trigger finger and volatile efficiency, the fact that he could pull up from anywhere on the floor was a legitimate worry that defenses had to account for. The lack of spacing Barnes will contribute to without an improved jumper could be fatal for this offense.
Scottie Barnes must shoot better for the Toronto Raptors.
Barnes needs to not only up his percentage, but also his volume (2.8 attempts per game in his career). While Nick Nurse had a reputation as a shot doctor, Rajakovic’s new perspective coming from one of the more effective offensive systems in the league might be all Barnes needs to unlock the sniper within him.
Barnes is never going to shoot like Desmond Bane, but he won’t truly take that next step if he remains anchored to the paint. While Siakam isn’t an elite shooter, he’s proven to be good enough in that area to get by. Barnes needs to aspire to reach that level.
1. Make the All-Star team
This sounds lofty, but making a seemingly seismic leap to stardom in his third season has become relatively commonplace among Top 5 picks who are empowered on their respective teams. Barnes needs to step on the gas pedal offensively to reach this mark, but we’ve seen crazier things happen.
Not only will Barnes need to hit all of the prior achievements listed, but his scoring would likely need to be in the 18-20 points per game range even to get consideration for such an elusive spot. Toronto will also need to be at or above .500 to help Barnes beat out role players on contending teams.
Will Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes make an All-Star team?
It’s fair to say that Barnes not making an All-Star team with the Raptors would be a very disappointing development, especially with how quickly he shot out of the game in the NBA. The Rising Stars game isn’t good enough. Why not pick up that first appearance this season, especially when he will be given a very long leash?
The Raptors have done a fine job of developing Barnes so far, as they balanced the need for giving him room to make mistakes with their desire to make him adapt to a defined role. However, given how the Raptors are not expected to contend this season, they need to give Barnes the ball and get out of his way.