Barnes no longer the only story as camp opens

Arguably for the first time since Scottie Barnes became a Toronto Raptor, he wasn’t the primary story as the team began training camp. This is a good thing.

Barnes was front-and-centre as a rookie and has been closely monitored through four seasons. He won rookie of the year, earned All-Star consideration, and signed a five-year, $224 million contract entering Year 4. Still, at media day and the start of his fifth training camp, Barnes wasn’t automatically the single most significant variable for what the Raptors can achieve this season.

Brandon Ingram’s impact and what he brings

“I mean, this is no secret, you add Brandon Ingram to the mix, it changes things,” said RJ Barrett. Adding Brandon Ingram, a nine-year veteran who just turned 28, alters the team’s energy and expectations.

Ingram’s availability has been an issue in the past — injuries have limited him to an average of 52 games a year over the last eight seasons — but his talent is clear. The Raptors signed him to a three-year, $120-million extension after acquiring him in February. He can put the ball on the floor, knock down threes (over 39 per cent from deep three times in his career), and make plays for others (averaging 5.6 assists over the past four seasons). He has also averaged 23 points per game over the past six seasons.

“I’m just excited to bring my skill level and make things easier for other guys,” Ingram said. “Playmaking, scoring the basketball, defence, getting steals, going on the other end, and just having fun. It does feel like a fresh start.”

What Ingram means for Scottie Barnes

Barnes remains the Raptors’ identity on defence. “When we talk about defence, I really believe that the standard for us, everything starts with Scottie Barnes,” coach Darko Rajakovic said. Barnes is one of the NBA’s most versatile talents and the only player in the league to average at least 19.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks over the past two years.

But it doesn’t end with him. Pairing Barnes with Brandon Ingram gives the Raptors two six-foot-eight wings who can handle, create and score. That pairing could be the foundation for something special — or at least intriguing. Barnes has praised Ingram’s skill and playmaking. “He’s super-skilled. He can make any tough shot that’s possible,” Barnes said. “He’s been more of a willing passer… been pushing the ball, running in transition. He is going to help us a lot this year. He’s going to demand so much attention.”

Expectations are higher and internal

There is no argument the Raptors are a better team than the ones that went 25 and 30 wins the past two seasons. Expectations are higher now, and they are internal.

“I think there’s been a very clear line for us to just attack this season and try to get back into a winning position,” said Jakob Poeltl, who signed a three-year, $84 million extension in the off-season. “We want to win now… we got to have one of those young-team breakout years.”

Barnes echoed the sentiment: “I think our expectation of our team is definitely to make the playoffs and win some games in the playoffs. That’s the standard, that’s the bottom line with how talented we are and what we should be able to achieve. We’re hungry, we’ve got a lot to prove and we’re gonna go out and show it.”

Health, fit and questions that remain

Ingram missed all but 18 games last season with an ankle injury. His health is a question, but his skill set — shooting, playmaking and scoring — offers a luxury most teams don’t have. For the Raptors, the main work is fitting Ingram with Barnes and surrounding them with shooters and defenders that let both roam and create.

Barnes has room to grow offensively, especially from three-point range, but he has shown enough that lofty peaks still feel within reach. The difference this season is that Barnes won’t carry the load alone. With Brandon Ingram on hand, he’ll have help up front.

Sharing the load, chasing the playoffs

Barnes will have to lead the way, but he won’t be alone out front. The presence of Brandon Ingram changes the Raptors’ outlook and raises expectations to return to playoff contention. If health and fit align, this season could mark the start of a meaningful turnaround.

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