Toronto Raptors All-Star forward Scottie Barnes is set to sign a rookie max extension of up to $270 million over five years. This deal, reported by Adrian Wojnarowski, comes after Barnes completed his third year in the NBA, during which he achieved his first All-Star selection with career-high averages of 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. With this contract, Barnes becomes the highest-paid player in Raptors franchise history.
Starting his NBA career in 2021, Barnes quickly made an impact with the Raptors, earning Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Rookie honors. Known for his versatility as a two-way player, Barnes can guard multiple positions on defense and contribute as a playmaker and scorer on offense. In his third year, his 3-point shooting significantly improved, with a 34.1% success rate on nearly five attempts per game.
Although the contract cannot be officially signed until July 6, agreeing to the extension allows the team to focus on other offseason priorities as they look to rebuild into a contender. The Raptors, who finished 11 games out of a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, have a promising young core with players like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. The organization reshuffled its roster during the season by trading Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby to center their vision around Barnes. This extension solidifies Barnes as the cornerstone of the team’s future plans.
Raptors president Masai Ujiri expressed his enthusiasm for building around players like Barnes, recognizing the significance of finding young talents like him. With Barnes locked in on the richest deal in franchise history, the Raptors aim to continue their development and build a winning team around their emerging star.