Raptors Future: Is Scottie Barnes more Aaron Gordon or Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Young Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes had a breakout year in his third season, improving across the board and taking on the mantle of driving his team's offense. He made the All-Star Team and had a shot at All-NBA if he had not fractured his hand with 22 games left in the season.

Part of what makes Barnes so special is his impact across the spectrum of basketball. He took on more of the scoring and playmaking load and thrived, creating scoring opportunities for himself and better setting up teammates to score. He improved both the volume and accuracy of his 3-point shot to ascend into the "passable" range. On defense he was one of the league's best weakside rim protectors and added in incredible instincts jumping passing lanes.

Barnes is an all-around good player, a power forward with perimeter skills and scoring chops who brings high-level defense to bear. As Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards are showing in the NBA Playoffs (among others) having a star who can excel on both offense and defense is a major boon to team building.

Just how good will Scottie Barnes be?

The question before the Raptors now, however, is whether Barnes' trajectory will take him into firm All-Star territory, or whether he has the upside to be an MVP down the line. Barnes' floor already is as a defensive wrecking-ball who can fit into a role on offense, and the best version of that player is incredibly valuable on winning teams. If he can be something more, a true superstar player, then the Raptors can begin working on building the team around Barnes. If his ceiling is less than that, they need to have a plan to find a No. 1 star.

In short, the Raptors need to know if Scottie Barnes is going to become Aaron Gordon or Giannis Antetokounmpo.