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Raptors' Scottie Barnes Makes Loud Statement About 2025 NBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Svyato Rovenchuk | Last updated Feb 21, 2025 1:57 PM ET

Fans of the Toronto Raptors would be forgiven for starting to think about the 2025 NBA Draft already. With the Raptors holding the fifth-worst record in the NBA, a mark of 17-38, there is a great opportunity for the team to add one of the top talents in what is projected to be a loaded draft class.

Any time there is a situation like this, it can sometimes create an odd disconnect for the fans. On one hand, it feels odd to want the team you support to lose basketball games. On the other hand, it does theoretically put them in a better position to bounce back in the future. The situation quickly becomes 'short-term pain, long-term gain.'

However, expecting the players to feel the same way is impractical. Every single player in the NBA represents an extreme breed of competitor. The type of clawing it took to get to the biggest basketball league in the world does not come without an incredible level of hard work, dedication, and other such.

That means whenever the talk of 'tanking' comes around, it should not surprise anyone to see players not buying into the idea. Scottie Barnes is no different in this regard.

"[Fans] can be excited about [the draft lottery]," the Raptors star told Josh Lewenberg. "I don't really give a damn about it. I'm trying to go out there and win games, try to possibly make something happen. So, they can be excited for that but my mindset's in a different place."

"I look at the standings every day," Barnes continued. "We’re still in that fight. We still could make something happen. That’s my motivation. When I look at it, I see that we still have a chance. We feel like we still want to win."

The Raptors forward is not necessarily wrong. The team is still within striking distance of the last Play-In spot, sitting four and a half games back of the Chicago Bulls.

One extended winning streak could quickly extend the Raptors' season. With Toronto having the easiest remaining schedule in the league for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, it is not entirely out of the question to see the Raptors propel themselves up the standings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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