The Toronto Raptors have picked up the fourth-year team option for Scottie Barnes’ rookie contract.
This will keep Barnes on the Raptors through the 2024-25 season.
This comes to no one’s surprise as Barnes is the future of the Raptors franchise:
No surprise but Raptors have picked up team option for 24/25 season on Scottie Barnes.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) October 25, 2023
He averaged 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 34.8 minutes in 77 games last season.
The Raptors drafted Barnes with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He has been solid for the team thus far. He’s the first draft pick in Raptors franchise history to have 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in his first two NBA seasons.
Barnes looks poised for a big third season. New head coach Darko Rajakovic recently praised him and said that he thinks Barnes can one day become the Defensive Player of the Year:
“I think one day he’s going to be Defensive Player of the Year. That’s something he wants to be, that he wants to develop into, and I’m going to do everything in my power to help him on that path.”
The preseason could be as sign of things to come for Barnes. He was remarkable on both ends of the floor and his shooting percentages were up. He appeared more aggressive and dialed in.
Scottie Barnes and the Raptors will open things up tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season home opener.
The Raptors are hoping Barnes has a big year, helping them climb the standings in the Eastern Conference.
Patrick Beverley takes a shot at the Raptors
The Raptors are no strangers to being written off and being disrespected.
Toronto has some extra motivation going into this season, particularly heading into their matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.
Patrick Beverley who is not afraid to stir the pot, recently took a shot at the Raptors and called out O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam.
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