That contract isn't looking so bad, now.
What does RJ really bring to the Raptors? People make the automatic comparison to OG Anunoby, since they both play the same position and were traded for each other. But that's not a very relevant comparison. They are nothing alike. As far as player-type, Barrett is nothing like any other player on the Raptors. But his production and the way he impacts the team has a lot of parallels with one of his teammates.
Pascal Siakam
This opens up a whole new can of worms for the Toronto Raptors. Besides Barrett's on-court production, he also swings the balance of leverage in any negotiations with Siakam firmly to the side of the team. Siakam's camp has nothing to pressure the Raptors with. RJ also makes Siakam more movable. Masai Ujiri doesn't need to hit a grand slam trade that immediately fills the hole left by Siakam. A much wider variety of the return, whether players or futures or both, is now acceptable. The trade seems to have unlocked the Raptors' offense, even with the seeming redundance of playing Siakam and Barrett together, which removes desperation as a motive for a Siakam trade.
The sample size is still small, and this could just be the type of hot streak RJ is already known for. He may regress into the player the Knicks gave up on. But with a different role, a different coach, a different system and a different country, I feel the upside for him is real and he will end up being remembered as far more than a throw-in for OG Anunoby.
What does RJ really bring to the Raptors? People make the automatic comparison to OG Anunoby, since they both play the same position and were traded for each other. But that's not a very relevant comparison. They are nothing alike. As far as player-type, Barrett is nothing like any other player on the Raptors. But his production and the way he impacts the team has a lot of parallels with one of his teammates.
Pascal Siakam
This opens up a whole new can of worms for the Toronto Raptors. Besides Barrett's on-court production, he also swings the balance of leverage in any negotiations with Siakam firmly to the side of the team. Siakam's camp has nothing to pressure the Raptors with. RJ also makes Siakam more movable. Masai Ujiri doesn't need to hit a grand slam trade that immediately fills the hole left by Siakam. A much wider variety of the return, whether players or futures or both, is now acceptable. The trade seems to have unlocked the Raptors' offense, even with the seeming redundance of playing Siakam and Barrett together, which removes desperation as a motive for a Siakam trade.
The sample size is still small, and this could just be the type of hot streak RJ is already known for. He may regress into the player the Knicks gave up on. But with a different role, a different coach, a different system and a different country, I feel the upside for him is real and he will end up being remembered as far more than a throw-in for OG Anunoby.