RJ Barrett has been at the heart of trade speculation since the moment the Toronto Raptors first acquired him in 2023. Cast aside by critics as a player who simply doesn't play a winning style, Barrett has quietly grown into the type of contributor many swore he couldn't be.
As the trade rumors return in 2025-26, it's become perfectly clear that those who expect him to be moved aren't properly quantifying how valuable he is to the Raptors.
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic recently compiled an NBA Trade Board featuring players whom "league sources are watching intently for multiple reasons as serious trade candidates." Barrett landed at No. 7, thus confirming that many around the NBA expect him to be at the heart of potential discussions.
While it's understandable for rival teams to covet Barrett, the idea that the Raptors should move him has been born from a misunderstanding of his value.
On paper, Toronto's roster consists of too many on-ball offensive players to make things work. On the court, however, Barrett is a shining example of how he and his teammates have sacrificed personal gains for team success en route to a 17-13 record.
Considering the Raptors are decidedly better with Barrett than without him, it would be irresponsible to trade him before completing a full season with the current core in place.
RJ Barrett is far more valuable than Raptors critics let on
Toronto's team-building strategy is multifaceted, but one of the primary strengths is the ability to excel at the point of attack on offense. It's loaded up on playmakers and scorers who can punish teams for inevitably lacking the defensive depth to ideally match the offensive weapons the Raptors have on the court at any given time.
With Scottie Barnes, Barrett, and Brandon Ingram in particular, the Raptors have three high-level scorers and playmakers in their starting lineup—all of whom are 6'6" or taller.
The results have been polarizing at times, but the overall return has been overwhelmingly positive. Toronto is 12-5 when Barrett plays this season and 5-8 when he doesn't. There are few areas of the game in which he hasn't influenced their success.
In addition to scoring with elite efficiency on the drive, Barrett has stabilized his jump shot, improved his decision making, and has even become a strong off-ball defender.
Barrett is currently averaging 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 three-point field goals made per game on .506/.356/.725 shooting. He's shooting 57.1 percent on drives, 36.6 percent on catch-and-shoot threes, and 40.9 percent on corner threes.
Barrett also ranks in the 94th percentile in off-ball chaser defense and the 73rd percentile in ball screen navigation, per Basketball Index.
Beyond the numbers, his willingness to take a backseat when another player has the hot hand is helping to set the tone for the Raptors. He's picking his spots and scoring with efficiency when his number is called, and is making an effort to contribute in areas he previously struggled.
Perhaps the day will come that Barrett should be traded, but he's been far too valuable to Toronto's early success to abandon a promising vision this soon.