The Toronto Raptors’ 2023-24 season offered few bright spots for fans. One of those few glimpses of hope was the team finally picking a clear direction, pivoting from the previous era of running in place to a complete rebuild around their young core. The 2024-25 season will be full of questions about the trio of Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett. One thing that might get lost in the sea of questions is one goal each player should strive towards. So here is one goal each Raptors rising star should aim for.
1 Goal for Each of the Raptors Rising Stars
Scottie Barnes
Goal: Become a Two-Time All-Star
The brightest ray of light from Toronto’s previous season was Barnes’s emergence as a star. Barnes put up 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and one steal and block for the season. On route to to his first All-Star team. He became just the ninth player in Raptors history to earn an All-Star team selection. Of those nine players, only five were named to more than one All-Star team during their time in Toronto. Barnes’s goal for next season should be to join this elite group of former Raptors by making his second All-Star team. With the Raptors giving Barnest a max contract extension, Toronto has high expectations for Barnes next season. If Barnes can reach this goal, it will solidify his place as one of the league’s best-rising stars.
RJ Barrett
Goal: Solidify Himself as Part Of The Team Future
Barrett’s inclusion in the deal with the Knicks was primarily due to matching salaries with OG Anunoby. However, with the Raptors, Barrett had the best stretch of his career and has begun shifting the perception around himself. Barrett is still a polarising player, and many view him as overpaid. He is owed a little over $83 million over the next three seasons. While the contract seems rich, Barrett only makes an average of $27 million a season, making him the 71st highest-paid player in the league. Barrett lived up to his contract with Toronto, putting up 21.8 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 55% from the field. If Barrett can replicate his play with Toronto from last season for an entire 82 games, it’s hard not to see him as a long-term part of the Raptors future.
Immanuel Quickley
Goal: Live Up To His New Contract
Quickley is the prized piece of the Anunoby deal and the second star in the Raptors’ solar system. Toronto locked up Quickley long-term this offseason, resigning him to a five-year deal. His contract is guaranteed for $162 million. With incentives, the deal could reach $175 million. Quickley will be making $32.5 million over the next five seasons. It is a stark salary increase for Quickley, who made just $4.5 million last season. Quickley proved he was worth a pay increase with the Raptors, averaging 18 points and 6.8 assists in Toronto. Did he prove he was worth a $28 million increase? That has yet to be seen. Quickley’s goal next season should be to show everyone why the Raptors made such a significant investment in him.
