Preview: Will RJ Barrett be the Raptors’ saviour or scapegoat?

RJ Barrett emerged as a key contributor for the Toronto Raptors following his trade from the New York Knicks, posting his best scoring season in 2024-25. During the 2025-26 campaign, he finished as the team's second-highest scorer ahead of Scottie Barnes and hit a crucial shot in Game 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers to force a Game 7.

Despite Barrett's on-court value as an offensive creator and his enthusiasm for playing alongside Kawhi Leonard, potential financial constraints remain. The Raptors are already facing luxury tax penalties, raising questions regarding Barrett's long-term future and salary commitments with the organization.