RJ Barrett loved his time with the Knicks, however he tells David Stol of Sharp Journal that the prospect to play for the Raptors within the metropolis the place he lived as a baby is “a literal dream come true.” Barrett’s homecoming occurred final December when New York despatched him to Toronto as a part of a five-player commerce involving OG Anunoby.
“I grew up with my dad taking me to video games,” Barrett mentioned. “[…] After I came upon I used to be coming dwelling, I didn’t know how one can act. I used to be pinching myself and telling my folks, ‘We’re actually right here. We’re enjoying for the Toronto Raptors.’”
Barrett grew to become the main target of the Raptors’ offense after the deal, averaging a career-high 21.8 PPG in 32 video games. He’s wanting ahead to his first coaching camp with the staff and seeing what he can accomplish in a full season. He additionally has fond reminiscences of his years in New York, the place he helped to show round a floundering franchise after being chosen with the third choose within the 2019 draft.
“I feel folks overlook that we actually constructed one thing there,” he mentioned. “After I arrived, we weren’t contending. We weren’t shut, actually. My sophomore yr, we made the playoffs. Then, we simply stored constructing. We gave the followers one thing to cheer for. And so they deserve it, man. It’s a tricky metropolis however you earn their love. I’m glad we bought there for them.”
There’s extra from the Atlantic Division:
- Not a lot is being anticipated from the Raptors as they stay up for their thirtieth season, notes Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Solar. A scarcity of star energy will probably restrict Toronto to a play-in match spot at greatest, Wolstat provides, as Washington and Brooklyn are the one Japanese rivals that seem like considerably worse. Wolstat additionally cites a troublesome early schedule, with 22 of the primary 25 video games towards groups coming off postseason appearances.
- Guerschon Yabusele might be in a greater spot with the Sixers than he would have been if he had tried to return to the Celtics, Brian Robb of MassLive states in a mailbag column. Yabusele signed a one-year take care of Philadelphia final month after a standout efficiency with France within the Olympics. Robb factors out that his principal competitors for enjoying time because the backup energy ahead to Caleb Martin can be KJ Martin and Ricky Council. Robb additionally suggests the Celtics might have been extra fascinated with Yabusele in the event that they hadn’t reached new offers with backup huge males Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman.
- Jaden Springer is eligible for a rookie scale extension via October 21, however sources inform Robb that the Celtics aren’t more likely to take into account a brand new deal till he has performed a full season with the staff.
