- Scottie Barnes could earn up to $270 million.
- Barnes made his first All-Star team in 2024.
- Barnes was the Rookie of the Year in 2022.
Scottie Barnes has reportedly signed a max rookie extension, as the Toronto Raptors hope his growth as a player could help their NBA odds of winning a championship significantly increase over the next few seasons.
Let’s take a look at the details of Barnes’ contract and what it could mean for the Raptors moving forward.
Scottie Barnes Contract Extension & Salary With Raptors
Barnes’ contract extension guarantees him $225 million over five years, but he could earn up to $270 million if he makes an All-NBA team, All-Defensive team, or earns MVP honours.
This deal makes the 22-year-old the highest-paid player in franchise history.
The Florida State product has been thought of very highly by the Raptors organization since he came into the league. They refused to involve him in any potential trades with the Brooklyn Nets that could’ve landed them Kevin Durant in 2022.
Equipped with a high motor and tremendous footwork, Barnes is a dangerous finisher at the rim and has drastically improved his ability to generate scoring opportunities within the confines of an offence rather than resorting to trying to beat his defenders one-on-one.
Scottie Barnes steal & slam! 💥
Mavs-Raptors | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/WqgJFTMk1b pic.twitter.com/aMFflsO3o7— NBA (@NBA) February 29, 2024
Barnes has also improved his playmaking chops by making the right reads within the flow of the offence and being unafraid of slinging the ball out in transition.
The 6-foot-7 forward is also one of the most versatile defenders in the league, as he can guard every position 1-5 on the floor on or off the ball while using his rangy length.
He’s especially a lethal shot blocker given his capability to stick with his opponent on the drive, provide help defence on the fly, or close out on shooters.
Barnes isn’t the shot creator like Durant is nor can he beat his defenders as easily one-on-one, but he can take advantage of any cracks in the opposing defence and exploit mismatches at any given time whenever the ball is hopping around.
Barnes’ 3-point shot has improved, converting his above-the-break 3-point attempts at a solid clip. However, for all of his other strengths, he needs to improve his shot-making in the corners and midrange for his scoring potential to truly be unlocked.
Perhaps the Raptors rely on RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to provide more of the scoring load and run sets that free up Barnes to attack the rim and also put Barnes in a position where he is more of a distributor.
The current Raptors roster could very well look different surrounding Barnes in the coming years, but the versatility his skill set provides on both sides of the floor makes it a lot easier for Toronto to build a team around him.
If I were to guess, I think the Raptors will look to add several wing defenders to take the defensive load off of Barnes and surround him with a host of willing passers and 3-point shooters on offence to free up the lane for Barnes to attack.
If Toronto makes the right moves surrounding its franchise cornerstone, it could become one of the best online sportsbook bets to win a championship.
2025 Scottie Barnes MVP Odds
BetMGM’s basketball betting lines have Barnes listed with +2500 odds to win the 2024-2025 MVP.
How Long Has Scottie Barnes Been in the NBA?
Barnes was the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and was named the Rookie of the Year.
How Much Did Scottie Barnes Average Per Game in 2023-24?
Barnes averaged 19.9 points on 47.5% shooting, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game during the 2023-2024 season.
Was Scottie Barnes an All-Star?
Barnes made his first All-Star appearance during the 2023-2024 season.
