RJ Barrett Makes Toronto Raptors Career Admission

RJ Barrett and the Toronto Raptors ended their 2026 NBA campaign after a 114-102 Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons, the former No. 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft was able to lead his hometown team back to the postseason, but fell short of winning their first playoff series since the Bubble in 2020. 

He contributed 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the final contest. Although he was just one point shy of his average for the series, he had his worst field goal percentage of any of the seven games. This came immediately after a game-winning three-pointer in overtime to force Game 7 without the Raptors’ closer, two-time All-Star Brandon Ingram. 

While his stats throughout the regular season don’t differ greatly from his career averages, it’s fair to say this was the best season of his career. He started and finished the season at his best despite playing just six games in two months in November-January because of separate knee and ankle injuries. He quickly became the Raptors’ second option behind Ingram to close games late in the season, and simultaneously became one of the best perimeter defenders on the team. 

With just one year left on his contract, Barrett made it very clear what his intentions are when discussing a potential contract extension in his final press conference of the season. 

“I’m from [Toronto], and who doesn’t want to play at home?” said Barrett. “Of course, I’m trying to stay here. I understand the business, but I want to stay here. I have no problem saying that. I want to be here. I want to be here for the rest of my career. I don’t ever want to leave. I don’t have any problems openly saying that. That’s out of my control. I’ve done my part on the court this year, and I will continue to do my part, and just hope things work out that way.” 

After a quiet Feb. 5th trade deadline for the Raptors, Barrett was the most linked player on the team to be leaving the franchise. Specifically, he was heavily talked about in a potential blockbuster trade with the Sacramento Kings that would send three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis to the Raptors. This seemed like a fantastic idea for Toronto because Barrett was heavily struggling at the time after returning from injury. 

Raptors fans should be thrilled to have kept him at this point, considering the trajectory he is on to keep improving next season. There surely will be some level of roster reconstruction this offseason, but if Barrett doesn’t sign a contract extension with the franchise, then there may be more movement than fans are expecting.