The Toronto Raptors traded their two highest-profile players during this past season, as Pascal Siakam was sent to the Indiana Pacers and OG Anunoby became a member of the New York Knicks. The message clearly was that this is Scottie Barnes‘ team, and now, the Raptors are making the sort of financial commitment to Barnes which backs up that sentiment.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Barnes plans to sign a 5-year max extension to remain in Toronto, and while we’ll have to wait and see how much money he ends up getting on this deal, it could end up being worth $270 million. Wojnarowski went on to note that Barnes will have to wait until July 6 to put pen to paper on the contract.
ESPN Sources: Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Scottie Barnes intends to sign a five-year maximum rookie extension that could be worth up to $270 million. Barnes is the franchise cornerstone and will become the highest paid player in Raptors history. pic.twitter.com/c5efNmNl4a
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2024
Barnes' agent Bill Duffy of @wmebasketball met with Toronto executives Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster to land the deal on the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year, sources tell ESPN. The Raptors are reshaping the roster around Barnes and now secure him on a deal that he'll sign on July… https://t.co/hmrxZIWIq9
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2024
Barnes has one more year on his rookie deal before this will go into effect ahead of the 2025-26 season. The league’s Rookie of the Year back in 2022, Barnes is coming off of the best season of his career, one which saw him earn his first All-Star nod as an injury replacement. The former Florida State standout averaged 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 34.9 minutes per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from behind the three-point line before his season came to a premature end in early March due to a hand fracture.
