Raptors urgently need this Scottie Barnes improvement to lead their revival

The 2025-26 NBA season will be Scottie Barnes' fifth year, highlighting his transition from a rookie to a more seasoned player. Barnes began his career with a standout debut, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award, but his subsequent seasons have been marked by consistency rather than the expected major leap in performance.

Barnes' career statistics show averages of 17.2 points on 46.6% field goal shooting, 30% from three-point range, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks. Initially, many anticipated a significant scoring increase, but expectations have shifted to maintaining his all-around consistency, with a focus on improving his three-point efficiency.

With the Toronto Raptors adding new players like Brandon Ingram, Barnes' role is evolving. He is no longer required to carry the team alone but must enhance his shot creation and playmaking abilities, particularly in synergy with teammates such as Immanuel Quickley. NBA draft expert Sam Vecenie emphasized that if Barnes improves, the team could achieve 50 wins in the upcoming season.

In a preseason game against Denver on October 6, Barnes recorded five assists, tying for the most on the team, but struggled offensively with only one point on 0-for-6 shooting, four personal fouls, and a -10 plus/minus. He missed the next two exhibition games, leaving this as the sole performance to assess so far.

Judging Barnes based on one preseason game is not entirely fair, but he needs to balance self-creation with facilitating for others. Adjusting to playing alongside ball-dominant players like Ingram will be key, and Raptors fans may not be satisfied if he fails to generate his own offense effectively while excelling in assists.