Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes just finished his third season in the NBA, which was his best one to date and resulted in his first All-Star game appearance. Now that he's going to enter his fourth season, he was up for a contract extension to follow his rookie deal. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Barnes intends to sign a maximum rookie extension that could be worth up to $270 million over five years. This would make the new cornerstone player the highest-paid Raptor of all time. Barnes averaged 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game last year while posting shooting splits of .475/.341/.781. The team already made some moves this past season before the trade deadline, which made it clear they're building around Barnes moving forward.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (hand) has been doing some light on-court work but is still not cleared for contact. Barnes isn't using his surgically-repaired left hand in practice, which means he's not close to a return to the court for the 23-49 Raptors. At this stage of a lost season north of the border, managers should not be expecting the 22-year-old All-Star to contribute for them during the fantasy postseason. 2022 first-round pick Ochai Agbaji has started Toronto's last 12 games amid Barnes' absence, averaging a modest 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 28.1 minutes over this span. He won't be a reliable streamer on Wednesday against the New York Knicks, who rank first in the Eastern Conference with 107.6 points per game allowed during 2023-24.
Kelly Olynyk Flops In First Game Without Scottie Barnes
Toronto Raptors forward Kelly Olynyk didn't hit a field goal in Sunday's 111-106 victory over the Charlotte Hornets but tallied four points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 26 minutes. The final output is not the most disappointing part, since Olynyk was a very popular fantasy add in the aftermath of Scottie Barnes' (hand) setback but saw Ochai Agbaji unexpectedly hop into Toronto's starting five. Considering Charlotte was missing their two top big men, Mark Williams (back) and Nick Richards (foot), head coach Darko Rajakovic may have opted to employ a smaller first unit for matchup-related reasons. Hang onto Olynyk despite the lackluster stat line, as Jakob Poeltl (finger) is joining Barnes on the sidelines for Tuesday's tilt versus the New Orleans Pelicans. In eight starting appearances this year, Olynyk is averaging 9.5 points, 6.9 assists, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.8 treys in 26.3 minutes.
According to TSN Sports' Josh Lewenberg, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (hand) is out indefinitely. The All-Star logged just 16 minutes in Friday's meeting with the Warriors before injuring his left hand. He didn't return. There was some confusion regarding how the injury happened. However, and most importantly, subsequent testing revealed he suffered a fracture to the third metacarpal bone. Barnes has had the best year of his career, averaging 20.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks. He's also shot 34.0% from deep, a significant upgrade from his first two seasons. Unfortunately, fantasy managers may not have him in their lineups for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign. But Kelly Olynyk, who had 16 points, 10 boards, and three steals, should get scooped off of waivers immediately, assuming he's still available.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes contributed 16 points off the bench as the Eastern Conference dominated the All-Star Game on Sunday, winning 211-186. Making his first All-Star appearance, Barnes shot 7-for-10 from the field with two makes from downtown and picked up eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 18 minutes. Barnes was one of four All-Star Game debutants in 2024, along with Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, and Paolo Banchero, who all suited up for the East. The 22-year-old forward has become a centerpiece for the Raptors and should have a huge finish to 2023-24. Entering the All-Star break, Barnes averaged a near triple-double over a four-game stretch, which could be a sign of things to come.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (foot), who has been taken off the injury report, saw his fourth-year team option exercised before Wednesday's regular-season opener versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Barnes is now officially on the books with his rookie contract through the 2024-25 season before hitting restricted free agency in the summer of 2025. The 21-year-old left Toronto's final preseason game Friday with a sprained foot, but he's ready to rock for Wednesday's home opener. Barnes looks for a third-year leap in 2023-24 after Year 2 saw him fall out of the top 75 in average 9-category fantasy value, with primary ball-handler Fred VanVleet having since departed for the Houston Rockets during this past offseason.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (foot) exited Friday night's preseason finale versus the Washington Wizards. He was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the contest with what was deemed a sprained right foot. However, Barnes left with a non-contact injury, which led many to fear the worst. Fortunately, fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief, with Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic telling reporters postgame that the 2021 No. 4 overall pick is "completely fine." Barnes is expected to take on a more prominent role throughout the 2023-24 campaign now that Fred VanVleet is in Houston, including spending time at the point guard spot. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old should be out there for Wednesday's opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, barring a setback, although managers will want to monitor things over the next few days. If Barnes can't suit up, Gradey Dick and Jalen McDaniels would likely benefit the most.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (foot) won't return to Friday's preseason finale against the Washington Wizards. The 2021 No. 4 overall pick was on a roll before going down with a sprained right foot, scoring 23 points while adding six boards and two blocks. But now the question remains if he'll be ready to play when the Raptors begin the 2023-24 campaign on Wednesday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. If Barnes can't suit up, Jalen McDaniels could enter the starting lineup.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes filled up the box score in Tuesday's 106-102 win over Chicago, scoring 22 points and recording six rebounds with three assists, two steals, and four blocks -- all of it in just 28 minutes of action and with 8-for-14 shooting. According to recent reports, the Raptors made Barnes untouchable in trade talks involving superstars Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard, and he perfectly demonstrated why on Tuesday. The 22-year-old was quiet in 2022-23 but looks ready to make noise again in the upcoming campaign. Barnes has averaged 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.3 steals across 21.3 minutes in the preseason.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes "feels good" after doing much more running this summer to improve his conditioning, per beat reporter Josh Lewenberg. Barnes says that he's also added nine pounds of muscle and weighs 240 pounds for the first time in his life. That should stimulate the fantasy hype machine a bit more during this draft season after the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year didn't take the step forward in 2022-23 some may have anticipated. With Toronto letting Fred VanVleet walk away during free agency, Barnes could spend more time with the ball in his hands this year than he has up until this point. The 22-year-old's defensive versatility already enabled to defend all five positions well, so any added strength could help him finish at the rim more effectively. Barnes is filled with upside as a top-50 pick.
