Raptors’ RJ Barrett dealt worrisome harm replace earlier than begin of season

Toronto Raptors swingman RJ Barrett sustained a sprain to the correct acromioclavicular joint late within the second quarter of the workforce’s preseason sport towards the Washington Wizards on Sunday and can miss the rest of the preseason, the workforce introduced on Tuesday.

Barrett, 24, was traded from the New York Knicks to the Raptors final season in a deal involving OG Anunoby earlier than the commerce deadline. The Toronto native performed in 32 video games for the Raptors, averaging 21.8 factors and 6.4 rebounds per sport whereas capturing 55.3 % from the ground and 39.3 % from three-point vary.

There may be hope internally that Barrett may be this franchise’s subsequent All-Star expertise on the wing. Sadly, he could miss the beginning of the 2024-25 season with this AC joint harm.

Right now, the Raptors haven’t given a agency timeframe for Barrett’s newest harm apart from the truth that he’ll miss the rest of the preseason. Primarily based on earlier information relating to AC joint accidents to NBA gamers, the minimal time for restoration is generally not less than two weeks. Then once more, some gamers with extra extreme sprains have missed six to eight weeks.

The extent of Barrett’s harm has not been revealed, and the Raptors say additional updates on the rising star’s standing will likely be given as acceptable.

RJ Barrett’s harm provides inquiries to Raptors future

The Raptors completed the 2023-24 season with a 25-57 document. This was the franchise’s worst document since profitable solely 23 video games in the course of the 2011-12 season.

Since profitable their solely championship with Kawhi Leonard in 2019, the Raptors haven’t discovered a complete lot of success. Scottie Barnes has been a vivid spot as a rising star within the Jap Convention, but the workforce as a complete is clearly rebuilding. It is a notion that Masai Ujiri mentioned at size initially of coaching camp.

“I might use the phrase rebuilding, that is the correct phrase, I believe we now have a transparent path now going ahead,” Ujiri acknowledged. “Younger workforce, rising workforce, I believe we set a path, went into the draft final yr, acquired a few younger gamers, and eager to proceed to develop and construct this workforce round Scottie who’s simply 23 years previous, so simply wish to proceed to develop as a workforce. In sports activities you at all times wish to be aggressive and also you play to win, however it’s a rebuilding workforce, I believe everyone sees that.”

Other than Barnes, who the group gave a five-year, $225 million extension to this summer season, the Raptors even have Immanuel Quickley on the level guard place. Quickley, who came visiting in the identical commerce as Barrett final season, earned himself a five-year, $175 million contract this offseason.

Now that Quickley and Barnes are underneath contract as long-term constructing blocks in Toronto, the subsequent line of questions factors in Barrett’s path. Whereas he nonetheless has three years left on his present contract, together with the 2024-25 season, Barrett has but to completely take that subsequent step in his profession.

Barrett is a terrific participant and has proven flashes of his brilliance on the courtroom. Finally, he simply nonetheless wants time to be able to absolutely embrace taking part in subsequent to Barnes and Quickley in Toronto. Ought to he be compelled to overlook time initially of the season on account of this new shoulder harm, then the expansion of each Barrett and the Raptors will likely be placed on maintain in the meanwhile.

Additional updates on Barrett and his restoration from this new harm will likely be given nearer to the beginning of the common season.