OTHERS…

Grading RJ Barrett’s early returns with Raptors: Canadian forward looks rejuvenated after trade to Toronto

RJ Barrett’s time as a member of the Raptors is off to a productive start.

After Barrett ushered in his homecoming with an impressive debut in front of family and friends at Scotiabank Arena, he and the Raptors took their show on the road to embark on a lengthy six-game trip. And despite the seemingly nonstop travel, Barrett keeps finding ways to impress.

What can we take from how Barrett has looked in a Raptors uniform? Based on what we’ve seen and what he has the potential to become, here’s a quick check-in as he begins to crack the surface of his potential in Toronto.

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Grading RJ Barrett’s early returns with Raptors

Barrett didn’t waste much time making his presence felt in Toronto. In his debut, he finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 19 points (on 6-of-12 shooting) and nine boards while seeing less than 30 minutes of action in a win over Cleveland.

Because Barrett was getting accustomed to a new system with a new team, his numbers speak to a natural ability to make plays on offense. He was able to score in transition, create for himself with drives in the halfcourt and play off of others.