1 Thing Scottie Barnes must improve to become a superstar

Scottie Barnes will call Toronto home for the foreseeable future after inking a lucrative contract extension with the Raptors. The team opted not to disclose the terms of the deal, however, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported it to be a five-year maximum rookie extension worth as much as $270 million.

Not only does this deal make Scottie the highest-paid player in Raptors history, but it also solidifies how highly the Raptors think of Scottie's potential and that they are moving forward with him as the face of the franchise.

The Raptors made their belief in Scottie's ability to reach superstar status evident with this extension, and now the ball is in Scottie's court to live up to those expectations. Despite the 22-year-old finishing this past season with career-high numbers, averaging 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, it is a fair expectation to want him to score more points as the teams best player and to reach superstar status.

Scottie Barnes must improve his scoring

If Scottie can increase his average points per game from 19.9 to between 25 to 30, while maintaining his current rebounds and assists, those numbers will help put him in the conversation for superstars in the league.

Considering the improvement Scottie has made so far, earning a few extra points per game seems within reach for him. A lack of reliable shooting power is one of the deficiencies the Raptors face within their roster, and an increase in production from their star player could have a positive effect on other players on the team.

Scottie is also highly incentivized to score more points next season. His deal with the Raptors stipulates that he can earn an extra $45 million if he is named to an All-NBA team, wins the league MVP or top defensive player award next season. In other words, adding more scoring to his current stats would increase his chances of making an All-NBA team.

The Raptors front office will bear some responsibility on Scottie making an All-NBA team because team performance is often weighed in the decision. It's their responsibility to place other talented players around Scottie that will allow him to maximize his skills to earn the honors.

Scottie's age is an important factor to consider when it comes to his superstar expectations because he is still a young player in the league. Most superstars have to go through growing pains in their early years to reach their superstar potential and Scottie is still in that transition phase. Not only with himself, but with his team.

Despite not having reached the superstar level yet, Scottie's progress indicates that he's on the right path to help lead the Toronto Raptors back to playoff contention and ultimately another championship.