One of the hottest talking points among the Toronto Raptors fan base this offseason, outside of the Kawhi Leonard saga, was RJ Barrett and his future in the Six. While training camp has tipped off in Quebec, the speculation around Barrett hasn’t disappeared, and fans got an update on the likelihood of a potential extension in Sportsnet’s Michael Grange’s latest piece.
“According to league sources, the Raptors and Barrett’s long-time agent Bill Duffy have yet to sit down and have substantive conversations about the possibility of a contract extension which — in theory — could be worth as much as $185 million over four seasons,” Grange wrote.
While the messaging to the public has been the same from both the Raptors as an organization and Barrett himself about his future, not talking about an extension means something. Now, this isn’t my usual RJ doesn’t fit the Raptors and they know that and won’t extend him because of it. My takeaway from all of this is that Toronto may be unsure about how he fits alongside Scottie Barnes and Leonard and appears to be putting Barrett on a trial run this season.
This is the right approach, as it’s unclear whether or not he fits with this team. On top of that, given how strong his playoff performance was, the Raptors' leverage in negotiations is likely much lower than it could be 20-25 games into the 2026-27 campaign.
This is the right approach from Toronto
Over the past several years, the Raptors have been handing out contract extensions like madmen.
First it was Immanuel Quickley, and then Jakob Poeltl. Given how both of those contracts were perceived early on, it’s like the front office has become cautious about handing out big-time money. Yes, between those two and Barrett, he is probably the one most worth a long-term commitment, given how well he performed in last year's regular season and postseason. But because of the position IQ and Jak’s contracts have put Toronto in, they have to be patient when it comes to Barrett.
They have to be especially cautious when a figure like $185 million over four years is on the table, as that could put Toronto in cap hell. Obviously, I doubt the Raptors, let alone any team, would give Barrett an annual salary of more than $46 million. Still, he could have grounds to ask for $35-plus million given the structure of Quickley’s contract.
By putting discussion off for the time being, the Raptors do a few important things.
No. 1, no one’s feelings get hurt ahead of a season where this group has title aspirations. What I mean is there is no fear on the Raptors’ side of approaching Barrett and having him offended by their offer, which could throw off chemistry and kill momentum.
Second, it keeps flexibility open. Of the other three projected starters outside of Barnes and Leonard, Barrett likely has the most value now and probably still will by midseason. Keeping him on a one-year deal as an easily flippable asset is more valuable than extending him now.
The last and probably most important piece: it lets the Raptors see whether the concerns that dorks on the internet like me have about Barrett's fit in a new role are real. They get to have a trial run to see if his off-ball play, floor spacing and defense are good enough for him to fit a new role, or if someone like Ja’Kobe Walter is a better fit as a long-term starter.
People can criticize the Raptors all they want for how they handled IQ and Jak’s long-term deals, but at least they are learning. Flexibility is the name of the game when running an NBA front office. Look at the Celtics, who traded their best player from last season because he limited their flexibility. By waiting on RJ Barrett’s extension, the Raptors maintain flexibility and avoid repeating past mistakes.
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