The Toronto Raptors won their second-straight road game Sunday afternoon, this time coming in the form of a 122-94 domination of the Milwaukee Bucks. In a game without superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley was clearly the best player on the floor, supplying 32 points and nine assists on 11-for-19 shooting, including five three-pointers made. 

Despite the score discrepancy, the Raptors struggled offensively outside of Quickley, Brandon Ingram, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. RJ Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter combined for 16 points on 5-for-20 shooting, further showing Barnes’ significant impact as a facilitator and finisher. Walter was expected to add 3-point shooting to a team that desperately needs it, and while he did shoot 3-for-8 from beyond the arc, he didn’t supply much else offensively in his 30 minutes. 

Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter (14) | © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

As for Barrett, his struggles continue after returning from injury issues that restricted him to playing in just six games through a 29-game span. In his last 10 games, he has scored 20 points just twice and achieved 50% or better field goal percentage just three times. For reference, the former Duke Blue Devil scored 20+ points 10 times and had a field goal percentage of 50% or better 12 times in a 17-game span to start this season. 

Because of this poor stretch of games for the former No. 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, along with the rising potential for Walter, it may be time to move Barrett to the second unit for the time being. Simply put, his offensive rhythm is easily lost in a lineup including two All-Stars and Quickley, who’s beginning to shine in his own right. 

By running with the bench mob, Barrett would command much more attention and ball-dominance on the offensive end. This would also allow for further engagement in defense and rebounding for a player getting more shots, while moving the better shooter into the starting group. The second group lacks a bona fide scorer, and Barrett has proven that he has the capabilities to be that player when given the opportunity. 

Being benched is never an easy thing for an athlete of this caliber, but the potential for growth far outweighs the negatives in this situation. Simply put, Barrett isn’t contributing enough considering his contract and expectations, and sometimes being benched can be a wake-up call. Adding Walter to the starting lineup could be beneficial for the increased catch-and-shoot threat that Barrett isn’t supplying right now.

Just because Barrett doesn’t start the game, it doesn’t mean he can’t finish it and/or have the same amount of minutes. At the end of the day, the most important moments come in the fourth quarter, not the first, and if he is on the floor when it matters most, then it shouldn’t matter. Taking it a step further, if he starts producing dramatically more, then he can easily be moved right back into his rightful spot in the starting lineup.

Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (9) | © Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

There are 25 games left in the regular season for Toronto. Is head coach Darko Rajakovic bold enough to send a player to the bench who is making just under $28 million this year? Probably not, but don’t completely rule out the possibility if he continues to struggle over the next seven games, where the Raptors face five top-10 teams in the NBA.