ESPN released their annual NBA Rank list, revealing the top player rankings from 100-51.
Toronto Raptors’ players Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett appeared on the list with Quickley ranked No. 64 and Barrett ranked No. 53.
Looking at Quickley’s ranking and the ESPN insiders are high on him. They ranked him ahead of the likes of former Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Cade Cunningham.
“Quickley, still just 25 years old, took the reins of the rebuilding Toronto offense last season and will seek to build on a solid first impression: 18.6 points and 6.8 assists per game on almost 40% shooting from 3 over 38 games. Specifically, Quickley should improve from a couple of spots inside the arc, where he historically has been better than he was in that half-season stint with the Raptors. His midrange and short, floater-range field goal percentages with Toronto (29.6% and 37.1%, respectively, per Basketball-Reference) both would have registered as career lows.”
Quickley is going to be the Raptors lead point guard and he is excepted to take his game to another level this season. The Raptors signed Quickley to a five-year contract worth $175 million so the Raptors are sold on his potential. In 32 games with the Raptors Quickley put up 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game – all career-high marks.
Next, ESPN ranked Barrett ahead of the likes of Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Alperen Sengun.
“The 24-year-old southpaw is coming off a career year statistically, with personal bests in scoring (21.8) and assist (4.1) averages, but also one that came with the emotions of his return to Canada via trade and the death of his 19-year-old brother, Nathan, from an illness. In particular, Barrett — who enjoyed the best effective field goal percentage of his career with Toronto (55.3%) — was efficient from the 3-to-10-foot floater range and the 16-to-23-foot midrange portion of the floor, where he shot 45% and 50%, respectively; both personal bests for him.”
Barrett is also expected to have a big season for the Raptors and many have him breaking out. Barrett looked like a different player since being traded from the New York Knicks to Toronto. He was more aggressive getting downhill and was hitting his shots with consistency. In 32 games with Toronto, he also averaged career-high marks of 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists on 55.3 percent shooting from the field and 39.2 percent shooting from three. If Barrett can put it all together for a full season, this ranking could end up being low for him. Just ahead of Barrett to round out the top 50 are Franz Wagner and former Raptors wing O.G. Anunoby.
Kyle Lowry talks about idea of his jersey being retired by Raptors
It’s only a matter of time until Kyle Lowry’s No. 7 jersey will be retired by the Toronto Raptors.
The 38-year-old is entering his 19th season in the league as he looks to help the Philadelphia 76ers win a title.
Lowry was asked about the idea of having his No. 7 jersey hanging from the Scotiabank Arena rafters one day.
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