Career Year For Raptors’ Scottie Barnes Derailed By Ankle Sprain – Blessing In Disguise?

The Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes is expected to miss several weeks following an ankle sprain sustained Monday.

The injury came in the third quarter of an eventual loss to the New York Knicks as Barnes landed awkwardly following an attempted block on Karl-Anthony Towns. Unable to put weight on his right foot, Barnes had to be helped off the court by teammates. The Raptors announced the sprain Wednesday, adding that Barnes would be re-evaluated in a week.

This isn’t the first time he’s missed this season, either. Barnes returned Nov. 21 from a right orbital fracture that cost him 11 games, a span which saw the Raptors in a 2-9 skid.

Barnes, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, earned All-Star accolades for the first time last season – and has only gotten better. He hung with the elite across 14 games this season, averaging career highs of 20.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. If he is out for several weeks, the Raptors will miss him sorely.

Off the court, though, there might be a silver lining for the team.

Barnes signed a rookie-maximum contract extension this offseason, totaling $225 million over five years. The deal could be worth up to $270 million if Barnes meets supermax requirements – notably, making an All-NBA team.

Barnes’ injury will likely put him under the 65-game requirement for All-NBA selection, which would secure additional cap space for the rebuilding Raptors. If the team’s lack of success without Barnes continues, they also have a better shot at a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Rebuilds aren’t cheap or easy, particularly when the franchise in question already has a cornerstone like Barnes it would like to retain. If Barnes’ injury will give the Toronto front office a bit more money and dibs on young talent, they’ll take what they can get.

The Raptors have lost four in a row after falling to the Heat on Thursday.