Insider reports often provide a glimpse into some, if not a good chunk, of the rumblings making the rounds across the NBA landscape. The latest from HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto may have revealed the Toronto Raptors' insights on their resident Canadian star, RJ Barrett.
Scotto would write in his intel scoop piece from March 3: "Based on conversations before the deadline, Barrett could be a trade candidate to monitor this summer."
Raptors star RJ Barrett might be on the move this summer
The report would elaborate on these potential trade discussions surrounding Barrett, using this context from the Raptors' deal for Brandon Ingram:
"Barrett was discussed in trade talks for Ingram with New Orleans, but the Pelicans preferred the expiring contract of Bruce Brown and stretch-five center Kelly Olynyk, who’s owed $13.45 million next season, league sources told HoopsHype. With Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones already on the wing, the Pelicans didn’t view Barrett as a suitable fit for their roster as talks would have necessitated finding a third team, sources said."Michael Scotto
That is a pretty big reveal, courtesy of Scotto, as it signals the Raptors' reported willingness to part ways with their prolific hometown scorer. However, New Orleans ultimately decided against it. It’s hard to believe his league sources in this case are feeding him false narratives, so unfortunately for those die-hard "Maple Mamba" fanatics in Raptors nation, this is just fuel to the fire regarding a Barrett trade becoming inevitable in the offseason.
This was already a rumor circulating in various circles (both commentators and fan threads alike) after the Ingram deal was finalized, especially since the Raptors added another wing to their already crowded perimeter.
I even noted how Barrett quickly became the odd man out with Ingram coming on board, as he emerged as the most obvious roster move to address in the aftermath. Up to this point, we had yet to hear from a credible NBA source that Barrett's name was being discussed in trade talks, but now Scotto's report provided a critical tell.
While Barrett lived to see another day, surviving a potential move to New Orleans, it could largely result in just extra time added to his stint in Toronto until an even bigger or better deal is on the table. Barrett is no slouch by any stretch, despite the often criticized qualities of being inconsistent, having wonky free throw shooting, and other knocks on his game.
When he's tapped in, Barrett can emerge as a 20+ point-per-game scorer on any given night, and his 2024-25 season stats reflect that. As Scotto put it, he's "having the best season of his career, averaging career highs in points (21.7), rebounds (6.4), and assists (5.6)."
There are a ton of teams that could use a player of Barrett's caliber, and it’s not just weak lottery teams in need of scoring; Barrett could thrive in playoff situations like those in Memphis or Detroit, just to name a few.
But we'll save those discussions for the offseason, when the Barrett rumors will likely continue to gain momentum. For now, Raptors fans at least know there’s substance to the idea of Barrett’s eventual departure, which may be a bitter pill for some to swallow. He might not be the perfect, polished player, but Barrett is a true Toronto guy at heart. There’s nothing quite like playing for your hometown team to ignite a fire within you, despite the Raptors' subpar record.
However, the NBA is a business, and Barrett could become collateral damage in a trade that ultimately enhances the Raptors' future.