When RJ Barrett was traded to the Toronto Raptors in the middle of the 2023-24 NBA season, many fans and analysts were skeptical about what his future might hold. A once-promising third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Barrett had shown flashes of brilliance in New York but was inconsistent and often criticized for inefficient scoring and underwhelming defensive output. However, under the structure of Toronto’s evolving system—especially as the franchise leaned into a more positionless, high-IQ style of play—Barrett experienced a notable shift in his production, mentality, and overall impact on the floor. His adaptation not only quieted some of his harshest critics but also offered a preview of what could be ahead for the 24-year-old Canadian star. Now, with the addition of Brandon Ingram to the Raptors’ roster and the continued development of Scottie Barnes as the franchise cornerstone, many observers, including NBA analyst Michael Pina, are confident that Barrett is poised to take a significant leap forward.
Barrett’s performance after the trade to Toronto was more than a statistical bump—it was a narrative reframe. The Raptors gave him a fresh slate and trusted him with a more fluid offensive role. While he was never the primary option, he became a critical cog in an offense that thrived on motion, ball sharing, and versatility. For the first time in his career, Barrett wasn’t being asked to carry an inefficient isolation-heavy load or be the primary shot creator in a stalled offense. Instead, he found value in cutting, secondary creation, and spot-up shooting. He shot better from the field and appeared far more comfortable within a team-first system. He also benefited from playing alongside a dynamic playmaker in Scottie Barnes, who frequently found Barrett on timely backdoor cuts or transition runs. The chemistry between Barrett and Barnes developed quickly and quietly became a reliable offensive element.
However, Pina’s optimism doesn’t rest solely on Barrett’s moderate resurgence last year. What fuels this projection is how Barrett’s strengths and weaknesses align with the presence of Brandon Ingram. Ingram, one of the league’s most polished mid-range scorers and a capable ball handler in pick-and-roll situations, brings a dimension to the Raptors that they’ve lacked for years—efficient half-court shot creation and playmaking from the wing. While Ingram himself is a versatile scorer, his unselfishness and basketball IQ make him a perfect fit alongside players who don’t necessarily need the ball all the time to thrive. That’s where Barrett enters the picture with elevated significance.
Barrett, at his best, is not a heliocentric scorer. He’s more effective when he can react to the flow of the game, attack closeouts, or finish in transition. He has the size to bully smaller defenders and the agility to get past bigger ones. Yet, when asked to be the focal point of an offense, his decision-making can waver and his shot selection becomes erratic. With Ingram in the fold, those pressure-filled possessions will be taken off Barrett’s shoulders. He’ll be able to focus on the elements of his game that have grown—like attacking second-side actions, finishing with both hands at the rim, and even improving his defensive focus. If Toronto’s coaching staff can emphasize movement, unselfishness, and spacing, Barrett is in a prime position to thrive.
The trio of Ingram, Barnes, and Barrett doesn’t resemble a traditional “Big Three” in the superstar sense, but it does represent an intriguing blend of size, versatility, and playmaking. Barnes is the do-everything forward with the highest upside—he defends, rebounds, creates, and scores. Ingram is the primary offensive initiator who can create his own shot at any time and facilitate for others. And Barrett becomes the dynamic connector—the slasher, the finisher, and occasionally the playmaker. In that type of structure, where roles are more defined and responsibility is distributed more evenly, Barrett’s ceiling rises significantly.
Another point that Pina highlighted in his analysis is the maturity Barrett has started to exhibit. He’s no longer chasing the expectations that followed him out of Duke. He’s instead settling into a player who can contribute in ways that may not always show up in the box score but affect winning. Whether it’s rotating defensively at the right time, contesting shots without fouling, or swinging the ball to the weak side rather than forcing a tough shot in traffic, Barrett has started making smarter decisions. These signs of growth are crucial in a Raptors system that prides itself on intelligent, team-oriented basketball. With a head coach who emphasizes film study, defensive discipline, and adaptability, Barrett has found himself in an environment that demands accountability but also fosters development.
The arrival of Brandon Ingram also opens up more structured offensive opportunities. With Ingram operating as a ball handler in pick-and-rolls, Barrett can function as the screener in inverted actions or work off-ball as a cutter or corner shooter. He won’t be facing double-teams or defensive schemes designed to stop him. Instead, he’ll benefit from the gravity that Ingram and Barnes command. This shift in attention from defenses will give Barrett cleaner looks, especially in the mid-range and from beyond the arc. It’s not unrealistic to expect him to have a career-best shooting season if Toronto optimizes these matchups.
On the defensive end, Barrett still has room to improve, but his athletic profile gives him a chance to be a plus defender when locked in. With Barnes often guarding the opposing team’s best player and Ingram using his length to disrupt passing lanes, Barrett can settle into guarding secondary threats—an assignment that better suits his physical tools. Additionally, being in a system where communication and rotation are emphasized could help him shed the mental lapses that plagued his time in New York. Pina’s belief in Barrett’s potential isn’t blind optimism—it’s rooted in the idea that players grow when put in better environments and when they’re asked to play to their strengths rather than carry unrealistic burdens.
Age is another factor working in Barrett’s favor. At just 24 years old, he has already logged significant NBA minutes, experienced both playoff basketball and rebuild-level frustrations, and has played under different coaching philosophies. This wealth of experience, combined with his youth, places him in a rare category of players who are still developing but have already seen enough to understand the demands of the league. He’s neither a raw project nor a fully formed product. He’s somewhere in between—a player with untapped potential who’s finally in a place where that potential might be realized.
There’s also an emotional component worth noting. Returning to Canada to play for the Raptors has seemingly reinvigorated Barrett. There’s a different type of motivation when you represent your home country, even at the professional level. He’s embraced being a role model for young Canadian athletes, and that sense of purpose has shown in his improved effort and attitude. That kind of emotional investment often leads to tangible on-court benefits, especially in a supportive environment where player development is prioritized.
The Raptors, despite missing the playoffs last season, are assembling a roster that can compete in the Eastern Conference while developing their young core. Ingram brings experience and scoring prowess. Barnes continues to grow into an All-Star caliber player. And Barrett, according to Pina and others, could emerge as the surprise of the season—a player who, once unshackled from unrealistic expectations and placed in a role that matches his skills, becomes an essential piece of a rising team.
Toronto’s long-term success may not rest solely on Barrett’s shoulders, but his progression will be a critical indicator of how well the team is managing its developmental vision. If Barrett continues on the trajectory he showed last year and benefits from the arrival of a complementary star like Ingram, he could silence all lingering doubts about his NBA future. No longer expected to be a franchise savior or primary scorer, Barrett can finally grow into the kind of impactful two-way wing that playoff teams covet.
The upcoming season will serve as a definitive chapter in RJ Barrett’s career. It’s a moment that could redefine how he’s perceived in the league—a shift from “underperforming lottery pick” to “valuable rotation cornerstone.” The tools have always been there. Now, with the right system, the right teammates, and the right role, all that remains is execution. And if Pina’s projection is correct, Barrett is ready not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them in ways that few saw coming.
