The future is now in Toronto.
Over a three-week span, the Raptors parted ways with franchise stalwarts O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam in two separate trades. And while the trades netted talented players and draft capital in return, one of the main purposes of the deals was to hand the keys to the franchise to 22-year-old Scottie Barnes.
In his third season with the Raptors, Barnes is showing exactly why the franchise selected him fourth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. He's leaped All-Star consideration with averages of 20.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists at the midway point of the season.
Given how impressive his numbers have been, it would be unfair to say that Barnes was being held back by the presence of Anunoby or Siakam. On the same token, we might have seen Barnes reach his ceiling next to those two, meaning trades were necessary to maximize his potential in the league.
So, what does this mean for the future? Here's where the Raptors are now and where they can go moving forward.
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How trades set Raptors up to build a future contender around Scottie Barnes
After parting ways with O.G. Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, Malachi Flynn and Pascal Siakam, here's what the Raptors have netted in return:
- RJ Barrett
- Immanuel Quickley
- 2024 second-round pick
- Bruce Brown Jr.
- Kira Lewis Jr.
- Jordan Nwora
- 2024 first-round pick
- 2024 first-round pick
- 2026 first-round pick
The 23-year-old Barrett and 24-year-old Quickley are two starting-caliber players who are on the same developmental timeline as the 22-year-old Barnes. It didn't take long for the former Knicks duo to fit in, with Barrett excelling in his homecoming and Quickley filling the void as the starting point guard of the present and future.
Lewis, 22, is a former lottery pick who has been limited by injuries throughout his career. The move to acquire him is effectively taking a flier on a speedster who could be a developmental diamond for the franchise. The 25-year-old Nwora wasn't a lottery pick but he is similar in that he hasn't gotten much opportunity up to this point in his career, though he could grow into an impactful role player if given the chance.
Brown deserves mention on his own, especially given the uncertainty around his future with the franchise. While he's a big proponent of Barnes' game, Brown could very well be moved to a contending team given his standing as one of the NBA's most effective role players. For that reason, the Siakam trade should be viewed as incomplete until a resolution is found.
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As for Barnes, the new-look Raptors are now constructed in a manner that will allow him to do what makes him such a special player. Barnes can thrive as a point forward next to Quickley, who is traditional enough to maintain normal point guard duties but versatile enough to play off the ball.
The person who holds the key to unlocking it all is head coach Darko Rajakovic, someone who has been lauded for his role in the development of Desmond Bane and Mikal Bridges, among others.
There's not exactly a one-for-one comparison for either player present on Toronto's roster but the way Rajakovic has aided young perimeter players in their development bodes well for the futures of Barrett, Lewis, Nwora, Quickley, Gradey Dick and Toronto's future draft picks acquired in recent trade hauls.
The Raptors are taking stock of who — and what — they have and, in doing so, can craft a roster that is best suited for the strengths of their 22-year-old rising star. It's far too early to tell just how good a team constructed around Barnes can be, but the only way to find out is by committing to doing so.
In parting ways with franchise staples, the Barnes era has officially begun. The next step is to learn just how fruitful that era can be. So far, the team is going about it in the right way.
