Raptors Might Trade RJ Barrett to Give attention to Rebuilding

RJ Barrett‘s stick with the Toronto Raptors may be short-lived, in line with a latest rumor.
With the Canadian workforce exploring all attainable choices to retool for future success, the 25-year-old ahead may be one of many commerce candidates who may discover a dwelling with one other workforce this upcoming NBA 2025-26 season.

A Possible Trade Candidate

RJ Barrett has solely been with the Raptors for 2 seasons, however his stint in Toronto could also be about to finish. According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Raptors have already introduced up Barrett’s identify throughout commerce discussions with the New Orleans Pelicans this season. With that, Barrett’s identify will probably weaken as Brandon Ingram’s commerce turns into louder.

Barrett is owed virtually $60 million over the subsequent two years, and he’s thus a fascinating however relocatable piece for the Raptors. Fischer says that Barrett, along with his $30 million wage, is a prime commerce candidate on condition that the workforce continues to hunt potential choices.

Barrett’s future with the Raptors could be very a lot unsure, significantly contemplating that the workforce needs to assemble round Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram because the core for the approaching seasons.

Raptors Struggled Last Season

The 2024-25 season was properly beneath the extent anticipated from the Toronto Raptors. With a 30-52 report and an Eleventh-place end within the Eastern Conference, the workforce didn’t make the playoffs, which led to a sequence of organizational modifications.

Among the primary was the dismissal of former President Masai Ujiri, who was criticized for making a “Hail Mary” commerce for Ingram that took away the workforce’s cap flexibility.

With this new path, the Raptors are searching for to unload Barrett and rebuild their roster round younger stars like Scottie Barnes and newly-acquired Brandon Ingram.

Unfortunately, Barrett’s expertise with the Raptors has been lackluster, and although he confirmed nice particular person play, he was unable to gel with the workforce, leading to allegations of his lack of toughness and inconsistencies with taking pictures.

Barrett’s Potential Trade Value

Even although he did not get traded to a different workforce earlier this season, some groups can nonetheless be taken with drafting Barrett. He is an effective two-way participant who can play on offense and protection.

During the 2024-25 season, Barrett recorded 21.1 factors, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per sport on a strong 46.8% taking pictures. With his talent set and upside coming into the prime years of his life, Barrett can be a great match for franchises such because the Milwaukee Bucks or Portland Trail Blazers, each searching for depth and flexibility off the wing.

Resetting for the Future

As the Raptors proceed to arrange for a busy commerce season, it’s apparent that the entrance workplace is in reset mode, in line with Fadeaway World. With no obvious path to title competition, the Raptors need to stay aggressive within the more and more difficult Eastern Conference.

Trading Barrett would enable the Raptors to both make a transfer for win-now gamers or purchase property for the long run that might allow them to assemble a title contender for the lengthy haul.