The Raptors do not need to sprint toward an RJ Barrett decision just because the Kawhi Leonard trade is now official.
Yes, the fit raises immediate questions. If Toronto’s offense is going to lean heavily on Leonard and Scottie Barnes, Barrett’s role naturally comes into focus. But that is exactly why the team should slow down instead of moving fast on a trade that could reshape the roster before anyone has seen the full picture.
Barrett has already shown he can adjust in Toronto, and that matters here. Leonard is a much more flexible offensive piece than Brandon Ingram was, which gives the Raptors a better chance that this partnership works cleaner than people might expect. Barrett’s downhill pressure can also help keep Barnes and Leonard from carrying too much of the load, especially if his drives force defenses to collapse.
The concerns are real, though, and last season’s shooting numbers are part of the debate. Barrett finished at 33.9 percent from 3-point range, and his 34.7 percent on catch-and-shoot threes does not exactly calm the nerves.
Still, Leonard changes the math. He is a bigger offensive threat than BI was, and that should pull extra attention away from Barrett.
There is a number in Barrett’s profile that points to why this might look different. When he took 3-pointers with his closest defender six or more feet away last season, he hit 36.9 percent of them. If Leonard creates more of those looks in 2026-27, Barrett could wind up fitting far more naturally next to him than the early reaction suggests.
That is why Toronto should resist treating Barrett like an immediate trade chip. There will be options worth considering, no question. But the Raptors need to be sure of two things before making that kind of move: that Barrett does not fit into their long-term plans, and that whatever they get back moves them closer to a title.
The contract situation is part of that equation too. 2026-27 is a contract year for Barrett, and the fact that no extension is in place says Toronto still has some doubts about where this is headed.
If the Raptors eventually decide to move him, the return has to matter in a real way. It needs to help them in the playoffs, whether that means improving the roster around the edges or bringing back a different starter who fits better.
By February of 2027, Toronto should have a much clearer read on the roster and what still needs fixing. Until then, the smarter play is patience. The Raptors need a real sample size before making a call this big.
In Other News...
RJ Barrett Opens Up About Watching The Knicks Win Without Him
RJ Barretts first season in Toronto gave Raptors fans plenty to track, and now hes adding a little more perspective to the conversation after watching his old Knicks teammates celebrate a championship run without him. Barrett said his feelings were complicated at first, the kind of reaction that comes naturally when a player sees a former team reach the top after moving on from him. Even so, he made it clear the bitterness did not last, and that he was ultimately happy for the guys he once shared the floor with in New York.
For Toronto, the more relevant part of Barretts comments may be the way he turned the focus back to what comes next. He had an encouraging message for Raptors fans about the season ahead, pointing to the teams added talent and the need for the building to stay behind them. Barrett has already shown he can be a useful piece in Torontos plans, and his outlook suggested there is a belief inside the locker room that better basketball is ahead if the group settles in and the support follows. [Read more 🡒]
Nets Fans Just Got A Reminder About One Recent Roster Cut
The Raptors have already made a quick decision on one of their newer backcourt pieces, converting Jaden Bradley from a two-way deal into a standard contract after taking him 50th overall in the draft. It is another sign that Toronto wants to see what it has in the rookie guard, who arrived with some buzz after a productive senior season at Arizona and has already moved from fringe depth to a more secure spot on the roster.
Now the opening Bradley leaves behind is expected to be filled by Malachi Smith, a guard Brooklyn recently waived before Toronto steps in with a two-way contract. For the Raptors, it is a small but meaningful bit of roster churn, the kind that often says as much about how a team is sorting through its developmental pipeline as any headline move does. [Read more 🡒]
RJ Barrett Could Be Headed For A Tough Raptors Crossroads
RJ Barretts place in Toronto has quickly become one of the more interesting front-burner issues around the Raptors as the team continues navigating a tight financial picture. With his contract set to expire after the upcoming season, Barrett has emerged in trade talk, and the appeal is obvious from the Raptors side: he is still young enough to matter, productive enough to draw interest, and on a deal that could make him a valuable chip if the front office decides to keep flexibility in mind.
At the same time, Barrett has already given Toronto one of its more memorable recent playoff moments, which makes the situation feel more complicated than a simple salary decision. The Raptors know what he can look like when the stage gets bigger, but the next step is less clear, especially with the possibility that his time in Toronto could reach a crossroads sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]