Scottie Barnes is having a breakout season for the Raptors this year in which he is averaging 20.1 points per game, 9.7 rebounds per game and 5.6 assists per game. Barnes, who won rookie of the year in 2022, did not have quite the improvement in his second year that most expected. This year, however, he has come into his own and is a prime candidate to be named to his first all-star team. The Raptors have also had a decent start to the season compared to where they were last year, currently sitting at 5-5. 

When looking at current candidates in the east it is tough to remove one of them with Barnes as a replacement. Coaches, however, are good at acknowledging players who don’t quite get the appreciation from fans, like Jrue Holiday last season. If the Raptors can sneak into the playoff mix they will likely get one representative. Barnes has been outplaying Pascal Siakam so far this season and would likely get the all-star nod over him.

One of the biggest keys to Barnes’ increase in the quality of his play is the absence of Fred VanVleet. More is required of Barnes in VanVleet’s absence including more duties as the primary ball handler. Barnes is averaging a career high in assists per game this season at 5.6 as well as his shot attempts per game at 16.4. Barnes has taken this opportunity and proven his worth as, at least, currently the best player on the Toronto Raptors.