Raptors swingman thriving in his hometown

Barrett scored 31 points on 10-for-14 shooting in the Raptors' 110-105 in over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night. He's had some NBA success since the New York Knicks made him the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft, but he's taken his game to a new level since a midseason trade to his hometown team, especially when he plays in Toronto.

In six home games this season, Barrett is averaging 29.3 points and shooting over 50% from the field and over 40% from three-point range. That's after a 2023-24 season where he upped his scoring from 18.2 points to 21.8 after his trade to Toronto, scoring 22.4 at home that season.

In his postgame interview, Barrett credited his home city for inspiring him.

"I'm from here, so I love playing here," Barrett said. "I love the fans. I always have my mom at every game. Just trying to make my city proud."

Perhaps that's why Barrett never made the leap in New York. The Knicks weren't getting his mother into the crowd often enough. But even after the disappointment of leaving the Knicks, Barrett called playing for the Raptors "a literal dream come true."

It's also a dream come true for the Raptors, who haven't had a Canadian star in their history. Thursday was a big night for the nation, as Canadian Chris Boucher, who grew up in Montreal, scored 22 points off the bench, with one breakway dunk coming off a Barrett steal.

The Raptors are still just 4-12, but with the return of Scottie Barnes from his orbital fracture, Toronto gets a chance to see its lineup of the future together. Barrett's still only 24, Barnes is 23 and Gradey Dick, averaging 18.7 points in his sophomore season, is 21. Immanuel Quickley, 25, will be back soon from his elbow injury. It's a rebuilding year for Toronto, but also a year where it's figuring out what it has.

It's looking like the Raptors could have a borderline All-Star in Barrett, at least when he's playing in Toronto.