The Raptors currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference at 14-5, and this year’s team feels different from the last couple of seasons. Toronto’s strong start makes it feel like they’re bound to send at least one representative to the All-Star Game. So which starter is most likely to get the nod?
Deserving of a shoutout
Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett have been stellar in their roles to start the year. Both have been efficient and a critical part of the team’s early-season success. Poeltl is shooting a mind-boggling 73.3% from the field and helps initiate the offense with rock-solid screens. Barrett has continued to thrive as a crucial offensive option in the team pecking order, putting up almost 20 points (19.4) per game on quality efficiency.
What holds both players back is their role. All-Star selections usually go to the first or second most impactful players on a roster; it is very rare for a team to have three or more All-Stars. As good as Barrett and Poeltl have been, they don’t affect the game as much as the other starters, which will likely prevent them from getting serious consideration.
Unlikely, but don’t count him out
Immanuel Quickley overcame an inefficient start to the year, but thankfully, he has turned in a quality campaign in the time since. Yet, IQ's production doesn't exactly scream “NBA All-Star.”
However, over his last 10 games, he has remained impressive, averaging 17.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds on 49.9% from the field and 41.1% from three. Quickley’s high-paced, three-point-heavy style will lead to ups and downs, but if he can maintain something close to those recent averages up to the break, he at least has a shot to enter the conversation.
The top scorer is the second-most likely All-Star
Brandon Ingram leads the team with 21.8 points per game and has done it efficiently, shooting 48.6% from the field. He also leads the team in shot attempts at 16.58 per game, cementing his status as the Raptors’ first scoring option. Ingram’s ability to score against a set half-court defense has helped Toronto’s offense flourish. The advanced stats back that up: his 118.4 offensive rating (points per 100 possessions with him on the floor) leads all Raptors starters.
What holds Ingram back is that, as good as he is at scoring (especially closing out games), he doesn’t quite have the same overall impact as the league’s top All-Star candidates. Even as the primary scorer, Toronto’s balanced approach has capped his scoring at “only” 21.8 points per game. Other Eastern Conference players will surpass that mark and may generate more All-Star buzz, even if he’s been terrific for Toronto.
Raptors' "best" overall player is its most likely All-Star
Despite Ingram being this year’s first scoring option, Scottie Barnes is the team’s best overall player. Barnes has impacted every facet of the game for Toronto. He is second on the team in points per game (19.5), second in rebounds (7.9), third in assists (5.0), and leads the Raptors in steals (1.4) and blocks (1.6). As impressive as he has been on offense, his defense is what really separates him.
Barnes may not put up the gaudiest scoring totals, but when assistant coaches are voting for the All-Star reserves, they will see his name near the top of almost every category they check. If the Raptors continue this early-season success, an All-Star selection feels close to a given — and at this point in the year, Scottie Barnes is clearly the most likely Raptor to hear his name called.