Barrett delivered a consistent performance throughout the game, recording a double-double with 33 points and 12 assists, demonstrating his ability to lead the Toronto team in the NBA.

With the support of Rajakovic and the rest of the team, RJ Barret can reach new heights in his career. However, coach Rajakovic, while acknowledging Barrett’s potential, also set high expectations for him.

“First of all, I think RJ’s very capable; I think he needs to do even more,” Rajakovic said. “He needs to play-make for our team and create offense for our team. And we need more from him on the defensive end as well. I’m talking to RJ every day; I’m a big RJ believer, I believe in him, and I’m calling for more from him every single day. Tonight, he did a really good job moving the ball.”

A new start for Barrett with the Raptors

Barrett has had a strong start to the season with the Raptors, showing a higher level of play than he did last season. His ability to score and assist has been crucial for the team, as seen in the recent game against the Lakers.

Barrett’s future in the NBA

The 2024-2025 season presents Barrett with an opportunity to showcase his talent and establish himself as a dominant force in the NBA. With his combination of offensive and defensive skills, he has the potential to lead the Raptors to new successes and become a key figure in both the team and the league in the coming years.

There has been plenty of speculation about a potential split in the summer, as the Lakers are in no position to compete right now, and James would want to make the most of whatever time he has left in the league.

With that in mind, an insider believes the New York Knicks could be a logical destination for the four-time NBA Champion. They have the assets to pull it off and the supporting cast to help him thrive.

NBA Rumors: Knicks Could Trade For LeBron James

(Transcript via Sam Quinn – CBS Sports)

“The Knicks nearly traded for [Donovan] Mitchell in the offseason, but didn’t largely because they felt giving up that much for a single star would compromise their ability to land a second. Well, here’s their path to two stars. James, given all of the factors we’ve covered thus far, just wouldn’t cost nearly as much as Mitchell. There’s a pretty simple RJ Barrett-for-LeBron construction here with perhaps a bit of extra draft capital involved. The Knicks could then devote all of their other assets to landing another star immediately, ideally with Julius Randle as the matching salary so that Jalen Brunson (and, perhaps more importantly given his defense and salary, Quentin Grimes) could remain as part of the new-look Knicks. Who would that star be? I don’t know, but NBA history is pretty clear on two things:

A star will always become available.

When LeBron goes somewhere, a star follows.”

James was reportedly pretty close to signing with the Knicks when he joined the Miami Heat. Also, bringing a championship to an ever-struggling franchise like theirswould most definitely strengthen his case as one of the best— if not the best— playerto ever lace them up.

While fan focus will be on the best teams like the Bucks, the New Jersey Nets, the Boston Celtics, or the top players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Kevin Durant, we can’t count out the players who are looking to have a breakout year.

That sixth man or most improved player is always key to taking their team to the next level, and we have chosen 5 players ready to have a breakout year in the 2021/2022 NBA season. Here are our 5 picks!

1. Keldon Johnson – San Antonio Spurs

Now in his third season, Keldon Johnson is coming off of a Team USA participation at the Summer Olympics and usually Olympic players see substantial increase in playing time the following year, especially after a gold medal run. With a bit more experience to call his own look for Gregg Popovich to get the most out of his power forward.

2. Devonte Graham – New Orleans Pelicans

Devonte Graham is a talented player and after a rough season with the Charlotte Hornets a change in scenery was in order. Now in New Orleans, Graham will replace Lonzo Ball and will be alongside Zion Williamson, look for these two to create a great one-two punch.

3. RJ Barrett – New York Knicks

RJ Barrett now enters his third season with the Knicks as a much-improved player, having increased his numbers in his two previous seasons. Now it’s time for the first-round draft pick to earn his keep, Barrett showed not only stat improvement but better overall awareness on the court and on a New York Knicks side who will want to improve on their quick playoff run from last year, he will be key.

4. Facundo Campazzo -Denver Nuggets

Facundo Campazzo had a feet wetting first season with the Denver Nuggets, the veteran 30-year-old has a long list of accolades from his time in Europe and injuries last season opened a lot of doors for the Argentine to showcase his talents and show he can be a team player. Campazzo now has the confidence of his teammates and coaching staff to play a bigger role for the Nuggets this season. The man won over 10 championships in his career, the Nuggets need to get more out of him.

5. Tyler Herro – Miami Heat

Now entering his third season in the NBA, Tyler Herro had an explosive first season only to match that with an equally low second season. Nonetheless Herro’s numbers were better last year, still the Heat have a much-improved roster heading into the new NBA season and may make a run for the NBA title. Herro could be a go to guy for bucket shots and could be a strong sixth man this season.

That’s why people often compare RJ Barrett to Zion Williamson or Ja Morant and feel like he’s an underachiever. But hey, Barrett has shared the floor with an alpha dog in Julius Randle, while Morant and Williamson were handed the keys to the offense right away.

Barrett went third in last year’s draft, trailing those two players, and it seems like people just don’t feel like he’s a franchise player. Then again, he’s averaging 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 three-pointers per game on 45/38/73 shooting in just his second season in the league.

RJ Barrett Says He’s Not Focused In Other Players

That’s why, when asked about whether he looks up to Zion Williamson or Ja Morant and the way they’ve already turned into stars, the Canadian guard sounded off and shut down that narrative right away:

“My game speaks for itself. I mean you can look at our numbers, you can look at our team’s success. It doesn’t really matter. As long as I keep getting better as a player, I’ll be happy,” RJ Barrett told the media, as quoted by Ian Begley of SNY.

It’s also worth noting that, even if Zion and Morant have better numbers than Barrett, they haven’t even made the playoffs yet, while Barrett and the Knicks might as well reach that stage this season.

Tom Thibodeau Lauds RJ Barrett’s Work Ethic

Barrett continues to improve as the days go by and he proved it last night, scoring 15 clutch points in the fourth quarter and overtime to give the Knicks a much-needed win over the Raptors. After that game, his coach Tom Thibodeau just showered him in praise.

“I think he’s showing his growth and maturity. He didn’t get rattled. Things weren’t going our way. Just stay the course, fought his way through it. The shooting piece has been huge. And then he’s finishing is vastly improved as well. His all-round play has been terrific. His work ethic is top of the line, his attitude and approach are top of the line. He’s a team-first guy. He’s 20 years old and he’s only going to get better,” Thibodeau said.

At the end of the day, we shouldn’t get carried away so fast and call him a but. Barrett has worked on his craft and it’s showing. So even if he’s not a dominant force of nature like Zion or an outspoken leader like Ja, he can still turn out to be pretty great.