Can the Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett blend ruthless efficiency with a defensive leap in 2024-25?

Can the Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett blend ruthless efficiency with a defensive leap in 2024-25?

RJ Barrett was a picture of offensive consistency for the Toronto Raptors after being acquired from the New York Knicks in the OG Anunoby trade last season, but can he replicate that scoring output while improving as a defender? In Episode 1698, Sean Woodley and Vivek Jacob (Raptors in 7, Sportsnet) talk about the best and worst case outcomes for Barrett in his first full season with Toronto — one that could play a huge part in determining his long-term outlook with the franchise. Off the top, Sean and Vivek dive into the best-case outcome for Barrett, which sees him maintain the same offensive role and efficiency as he had last year while using a better defensive environment around him and some personal development to transform into an average to slightly-above-average defender on the wing. Next, they talk about the worst-case scenario for RJ in 2024-25, in which his career-best outputs as a rim finisher and three-point shooter fall back towards his career averages, while the defense remains at a below-average level. It may not be super likely considering the tangible changes to Barrett’s play style than the trade, but the history of poor results on Barrett’s ledger can’t be totally ignored. Lastly, Sean and and Vivek discuss the most likely outcome for Barrett, which is that he is more or less the same player he was night-to-night for the Raptors last season and with Team Canada this summer — a supremely efficient play-finisher and porous defender whose long-term role within the Raptors’ remains a bit of a mystery.

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