The 2025-26 NBA season has officially ended for the Toronto Raptors at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was a hard-fought seven-game series, and while the loss will sting, Toronto’s season should still be viewed as a major step forward.
At the beginning of the year, few expected the Raptors to make this much noise in the playoffs. They were still viewed as a team nearing the end of a rebuild, not one ready to seriously threaten a top Eastern Conference opponent.
Toronto proved that their rebuild is finished and they are ready to become a real threat in the Eastern Conference. That leap was made possible by Scottie Barnes.
Scottie Barnes proved he is the Raptors’ future
Scottie Barnes has officially ended the best season of his young career. He finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, had the most efficient scoring season of his career, and led his team to the playoffs for the first time.
As good as his regular season was, it was the postseason that should give the Raptors front office the proof it needs that Barnes is a franchise player. His play in the series against the Cavaliers was nothing short of jaw-dropping.
This was a series featuring Donovan Mitchell, a seven-time All-Star and reigning First-Team All-NBA selection, and James Harden, a former MVP who still averaged nearly 24 points and eight assists this season. Even with that level of star power on the floor, Barnes was clearly the best player in the series.
Barnes averaged 24.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 8.6 assists while playing air-tight defense on Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. He did everything anyone could have reasonably asked of him and more in the playoffs.
Raptors must now build around Barnes
Barnes officially establishing himself as a franchise player means it is now up to the Raptors organization to build a true contender around him. Difficult decisions will have to be made about the roster.
RJ Barrett will be entering the final year of his contract. Does his transition-heavy, shooting-averse style fit cleanly alongside Barnes long term?
Brandon Ingram was essentially a nonfactor in this series, and his isolation-heavy style can stall Toronto’s offense at times. Should he really be the second-best player on a Scottie Barnes-led team?
Jakob Poeltl just signed a major extension, but his play was disappointing this season. Can Toronto find a taker for his contract to free up more flexibility to build around Barnes?
These are only some of the difficult questions that will need to be addressed. Regardless of the answers, the Raptors front office can sleep easy knowing they have the answer to the most difficult question in building a potential championship team: does your team have a franchise player?
Toronto has one. His name is Scottie Barnes.
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