One question will loom over every decision the Raptors make this offseason

The Raptors have a very busy offseason ahead of them. They are still fresh off a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs and now have the unique opportunity to build on the success of even making the playoffs and extending the season despite injuries to Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram. 

Building on that success will involve some difficult decisions about current players, like RJ Barrett, who is extension-eligible, and Brandon Ingram, Jakob Poeltl, and Gradey Dick, who may all be on the trade block. It will also involve evaluating talent all across the league and from the college ranks to figure out what pieces they can bring in to improve the team’s offense. 

With every one of those decisions, GM Bobby Webster and head coach Darko Rajaković have to ask themselves this question above anything else: How does this player fit next to Scottie Barnes?

Scottie Barnes is the center of the Raptors’ universe

Scottie Barnes is the Raptors’ most important player right now and one of two (or three, depending on your stance on Ja’Kobe Walter) players who should be absolutely untouchable in any trade talks this summer. 

Barnes anchors the Raptors’ defense with his ability to guard any position and any star player. He has also been key to the Raptors’ offense, handling the playmaking responsibilities with Immanuel Quickley sidelined and taking his scoring to another level in the playoffs. 

Due to his versatility—he can play and guard multiple positions, depending on the team’s needs—it’s pretty simple to make players fit next to Barnes. Still, some things are difficult, like playing too many below-average shooters. Barnes is a 30.1% 3-point shooter for his five seasons in the NBA, and the Raptors struggled to space the floor with him, Jakob Poeltl, and RJ Barrett all on the floor at the same time. Barnes did shoot 38.1% on three attempts per game over seven playoff games, though, so maybe he is on his way to adding a more consistent outside shot to his game. 

Barnes’s style of play is (obviously) very much in line with the Raptors’ system. Toronto is a tough, physical defensive team that likes to swarm opposing stars and force turnovers. On the other end of the floor, the Raptors benefit from a fast pace that underlines their length and athleticism. 

Any players the Raptors may want to add this offseason don’t just have to fit next to Barnes on the offensive side. They also have to be able to contribute to the team’s defensive identity. 

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