What might have seemed like borrowed time for RJ Barrett has quickly turned over a new leaf as the 2025-26 Raptors campaign has gotten underway. For what feels like an eternity, RJ Barrett has been Toronto's most mentioned trade candidate, aside from another expendable wing in Ochai Agbaji. Although those rumors continued to circulate as recently as October, watching Barrett perform in the regular season so far has arguably put an end to ongoing trade speculation. However, Toronto's ability to reach a mutual extension with the "Maple Mamba" could still present a challenging obstacle.
Some may think otherwise, but I believe there is a very credible debate for RJ Barrett possibly being the Toronto Raptors' best player. If "best" seems like a too loaded term, then perhaps "consistent" is a better word to use in that regard. But beyond a shadow of a doubt, Barrett has shut down hardship and naysayers with his consistent, steady, and matured presence. As we've seen in the 2025-26 sample size already, he is firmly thrust in the core alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.
At the time of writing, Barrett's 2025-26 season stats are as follows: 19.3 points on 50.5 percent field goal shooting, 34.3 percent from three, 72.2 percent from the free-throw line, 5.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and close to a steal (0.8) per game. That free throw percentage has always been shaky for Barrett in his Raptors tenure, and while it still needs some work, it shouldn't overshadow how well he's been in every other facet.
Fred Katz of The Athletic took time during a recent appearance on The Zach Lowe Show to praise the 25-year-old Raptors star, who he believes has evolved into quite the dynamic player (YouTube link here).
RJ Barrett is developing into a player that surpasses expectations
"... God, I covered him for years, and I did not see RJ Barrett being able to play in a system like this, making intuitive passes, creating corner threes, like shooting really well right now. I did not see RJ Barrett becoming this, forget about this level of player, I thought it was totally on the table he became this level of player, but just becoming this style of player where he is reading the game really, really well. "Fred Katz, Nov 10, 2025
I think in Toronto's last contest against the Indiana Pacers on November 15 was a telling example of the masterful work that RJ Barrett can provide across the board for the Raptors: 22 points on 9-for-17 shooting, 3-for-7 from deep, six rebounds, and four assists. Barrett found his way directly to the iron, going right at the injury-riddled Pacers squad. I appreciate how dependable he's been from beyond the arc, even as the Raptors' system has integrated Brandon Ingram into the lineup.
Barrett was one of the highlights from last year, and it is encouraging to see that he has no intentions of slowing down or taking a step back. He found the balance and poise needed to still be a key contributor on a nightly basis. Hopefully, this consistency and progression will earn him a well-deserved payday in the near future.
Or perhaps, we could soon be looking at RJ Barrett... the international All-Star?