"After a year of offensive experimentation, where Barnes tested his limits as a scorer, his role heading into this season will be much different. But this is something he's used to. Over the course of his four-year career, Barnes has had to wear a variety of hats, first for a fledgling team trying to make the playoffs and then for a rebuilding group that oriented around him."
"Barnes is going to be the linchpin of everything the Raptors want to do on that end, with his size, length, and heightened awareness as a help defender. The Raptors were 4.7 points per 100 possessions better on defense when Barnes was on the floor, second only to Davion Mitchell on the team last season. He was one of only 11 players in the NBA to average over one steal and one block per game in the 2024-2025 season."
Scottie Barnes remains the Raptors' most important player and will determine the team's ceiling. After offensive experimentation, his role will shift toward a more defined, defense-first identity. His size, length and help-defense instincts position him as the defensive linchpin. The Raptors were 4.7 points per 100 possessions better with Barnes on the floor, and he was one of only 11 players in the NBA to average over one steal and one block per game in 2024-2025. He achieved that while fouling fewer defensive assignments than any other player on that list. Leaning into his adaptable skill set can restore All-Star status.
Read at Raptors Republic
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