RJ Barrett is entering a tough new season with the Toronto Raptors. His contract is expiring, and his future with the team is still up in the air. The Raptors did not extend him over the summer, and his name has once again been in trade rumors. After all, his expiring salary makes him a potentially valuable trade chip for the Raptors, and many view Ja’Kobe Walter as a smoother fit with the other four starters because he is more of a 3-and-D role player than Barrett.
For now, Barrett is still on the team and will have an opportunity to play his way into the Raptors’ long-term plans. Head coach Darko Rajakovic shared one very clear expectation for Barrett on media day.
“RJ, he made a step in the playoffs,” Rajakovic said when talking about the potential of the Raptors’ defensive improvements. “We expect him to continue there.”
Living up to that expectation could be big for Barrett. Defense is the Raptors’ identity, and fitting in with that identity as well as possible would be huge if Barrett truly wants a future with the Raptors. It would also just make him a more well-rounded player, no matter which team he ends up suiting up for in the future.
When asked about his contract status at media day, Barrett said, “I don’t control any of that stuff. I just control my effort and what I do, and how I train, how I come in and try to help the team. So, I’m just going to continue to control the things I can control.”
Continuing to work on his defense is one of the things Barrett can control this season, even as his future in Toronto remains uncertain.
This season will be a big one for Barrett
This season promises to be the biggest one of Barrett’s Raptors tenure. If the Raptors do not trade him and let him hit free agency, he will be playing for his next contract—and there are some serious concerns about his fit next to Kawhi Leonard. On one hand, he will be key to surviving any games Leonard’s misses due to load management or injuries. On the other hand, he is not the smoothest offensive fit next to Leonard and Scottie Barnes as a player whose 3-point shot hasn’t been very consistent.
Getting to play with Leonard is also a full-circle moment for the 26-year-old. Barrett grew up a Raptors fan and has shared several times that he was watching Leonard and the Raptors compete in the playoffs in 2019 when he was preparing for the draft. First, he hit a very Leonard-esque shot in Game 6 to keep the Raptors’ playoff run alive for one more game. Now, he will get to play next to him, at least to start the season.
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