The Toronto Raptors aren't elite, but they're playoff-caliber, which is significant considering they haven't made the postseason since 2022. But most importantly, they have a young foundational piece in Scottie Barnes. 

The 24-year-old forward earned his second career All-Star nod this season and is averaging 19.3 points on 49.9 percent shooting (30.6 percent 3-point) with 8.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals over 34.5 minutes. If the season ended now, it would be his third straight campaign averaging 19-plus points on 44-plus-percent shooting with at least one block and 1.3 steals.

Toronto is currently saddled with a couple of bad contracts, but Barnes' deal isn't one of them. The team signed the 2021 No. 4 overall pick to a five-year, $224.2 million rookie extension in July, and this season's All-Star nod exemplifies how he's worth the investment thus far.

It's a different story with veteran big man Jakob Poeltl, for example. The Raptors signed the 30-year-old to a three-year, $84.5 million extension in July that doesn't kick in until the 2027-28 campaign. He's earning $19.5 million this year and picked up his $19.5 million player option for next season.

However, Poeltl (back) is averaging just 9.7 points on 69.3 percent shooting with 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 25.3 minutes. The seven-footer also hasn't played since Dec. 21 due to injury.

Toronto will be hard-pressed to win its first ring since 2019 until it sheds toxic assets like Poeltl and adds more star talent alongside Barnes and veteran forward Brandon Ingram. On the other hand, the Raptors' most likely outcome ahead of Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline is getting under the luxury tax threshold, per Sportsnet.

Regardless, having Barnes in the building means they won't have to go back to square one anytime soon.

It was tough sledding in Toronto after superstar forward Kawhi Leonard left in the 2019 offseason. The two-time NBA Finals MVP signed with the Los Angeles Clippers after leading the Raptors to a title in his only season with them, and it was clear that the franchise would have to wait years before reaching those heights again.

Head coach Nick Nurse won Coach of the Year the following campaign after leading the team to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but it went just 27-45 the following year. Toronto then made the postseason again during Barnes' Rookie of the Year campaign in 2021-22, but got bounced in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Raptors are now on pace for their first winning season since then, as they're fourth in the East at 30-21. They're not a finished product, but Barnes and Ingram (21.9 points per game) will help them stay competitive until they're championship-caliber.