An In-Depth Look at the Toronto Wing and His Next Chapter

When RJ Barrett was traded to the Toronto Raptors, many saw it as a homecoming. A chance for the young Canadian to reignite his career in familiar territory. But the conversation surrounding RJ has never been more polarizing. Some think he’s on the verge of being an All Star while others claim he’s a negative asset dragging down the value of any team he’s on. But the truth about RJ Barrett might live somewhere in between. He’s underrated in many ways but still not quite a good asset yet. He exists in a kind of NBA limbo, waiting for a direction to be defined for him and by him.

RJ’s Journey So Far

Since entering the league as the third overall pick in 2019, RJ Barrett’s carreer has been a mixed bag of potential and underwhelming efficiency. He spent his early years with the New York Knicks, where he was both relied upon and limited. On some nights he looked like a franchise cornerstone, scoring 25 points with strong drives to the rim and growing confidence from three. On other nights, he would go 5 for 19 with little playmaking and spotty defense.

He showed flashes, but he never fully convinced. His handle wasn’t elite, his passing wasn’t consistent, and his shooting—while better—still was below league average most years. But at the same time, he had that gritty edge, the ability to play through contact and compete defensivly against bigger wings. That mattered to a team like New York, who valued toughness.

In the end, though, Barrett was sent to Toronto as part of a package for OG Anunoby, a player who better matched the Knicks’ win-now defensive identity. Barrett became part of a new core in Toronto alongside Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley.

The State of RJ in Toronto

So far in Toronto, RJ has looked rejuvinated. Freed from the high expectations and media frenzy of New York, he’s gotten to play a more natural game. He’s attacking closeouts more agressively, finishing with better balance, and even making quicker decisions. The Raptors dont ask him to be the number one guy, and that might be the best thing for him.

Toronto isn’t a title contender yet, but they’re not a tanking team either. They’re in that weird spot where a few breaks could make them a dark horse playoff team. In that context, RJ Barrett has real value. He’s not someone you want carrying your offense, but he could easily be the third best player on a playoff team if he sharpens the edges of his game.

Barrett’s rebounding has improved, he’s better in transition than most give him credit for, and he’s learning how to be effective off the ball. Still, there are warts. He often makes puzzling decisions late in games, his free throw shooting remains mediocre, and he has not yet become a reliable shooter from deep.

The Contract Problem

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. RJ Barrett’s contract.

Barrett is in the first year of a four year extension worth over 100 million. That deal is not horrible, but it’s also not team friendly. He’s being paid like a second option but performing like a role player. That doesn’t mean he’s a negative asset, but it certainly doesn’t make him a positive one either.

If RJ were making 12 to 15 million a year, teams would be lining up for him. But at over 25 million per season, teams hesitate. They ask “what does he really do at an elite level” and “can we get that kind of production for cheaper.” Right now the answer is maybe.

This is why some people look at RJ as a negative asset. They see the inefficiency, the contract, the lack of elite skills and they assume he’s just a salary filler. But that ignores the context. RJ is still young. He’s shown clear improvements. And in the right role he can be a glue guy who holds things together instead of being asked to carry the load.

Why He’s Underrated

RJ Barrett is underrated because people often judge him for what he isn’t rather than what he is. He’s not Ja Morant. He’s not Darius Garland. He’s not a superstar scorer or a dazzling passer. But he is a strong 6 foot 6 wing with a solid frame, a growing game, and the mindset to compete on both ends. That counts.

Too often in the NBA, we discard players because they don’t fit neatly into a box. RJ’s game is hard to define. He’s not a pure three and D guy. He’s not a lead creator. But that doesn’t mean he’s useless. He can drive hard to the rim and collapse defenses. He can guard wings and even some small fours. He plays with real emotion and pride.

What makes him valuable in Toronto is that he fits their vision. The Raptors have long been a team that bets on athletic, long, versatile wings who can guard multiple positions and switch across the floor. RJ might not be an ideal version of that, but he’s still a version. And if he keeps refining his shot and decision making, he could be one of those players who suddenly explodes in year six or seven.

The Potential Paths Forward

There are two main ways this could go for Barrett.

Path One: The Glue Guy In this version of the future, RJ Barrett never becomes an All Star but becomes essential. He’s the piece that allows stars like Scottie Barnes or whoever Toronto brings in to shine brighter. He hits open threes at a respectable rate, defends well, makes smart reads, and gives the team some edge. Think of guys like Bruce Brown or Harrison Barnes in their best years. Not flashy but necessary.

Path Two: Late Bloomer All Star RJ still has time. He just turned 24. Players like Jimmy Butler, Khris Middleton, and DeMar DeRozan didn’t become All Stars right away either. It took time, the right system, the right coach. If RJ continues trending upward and lands in the right situation, maybe he does make that leap. Maybe he becomes a 22 point scorer who defends and rebounds and leads a team to the second round.

The wild card is Toronto. The Raptors are retooling, but they’re not tanking. That means they’re going to expect results. If RJ can deliver and grow alongside Quickley and Barnes, there’s a real chance he becomes part of the long term core. If he stalls out, Toronto may look to move off the contract by attaching draft compensation.

What He Needs to Improve

For RJ to reach his potential, the formula isn’t complicated. It’s about efficiency, consistency, and effort. • Shooting: RJ has to get to at least league average from three. If he can become a 36 percent shooter on good volume, that changes how defenses treat him. • Decision Making: He has to cut down on tunnel vision and learn to play within the flow of the offense. Simple passes matter. • Defense: When he’s locked in, he can be a strong wing defender. But too often he gets caught flat footed or loses focus off ball. • Free Throws: If he can hit 78 percent or better, it’ll help him close games and be more reliable in high pressure moments.

None of this is impossible. And none of it requires RJ to suddenly become someone he’s not. It’s all just refinement.

At the end of the day, RJ Barrett isn’t just a name in a spreadsheet or a contract number on a cap sheet. He’s a young guy trying to live up to expectations that were probably too high too soon. He was labeled as the next great Canadian hope, the third pick in a hyped draft, the savior of the Knicks. That’s a lot for anyone.

Now he’s back home in Canada, playing for a team that wants to figure out its own identity. Maybe that’s the perfect storm. Maybe not. But RJ Barrett deserves the chance to figure it out without being boxed in by online arguments about whether he’s good or not.

Sometimes in the NBA, it’s not about where you start but about how you adjust, how you evolve, and how you fit in with those around you. RJ might never be the star people hoped for, but he might still become the player every good team needs.

Underrated asset? Yeah. But more importantly, he’s still a human asset. One with a story that’s far from over.

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