The Raptors Talk Scottie Barnes' All-Star Chances & Giving Young Guys More Playing Time

Javon Freeman-Liberty’s time is coming.

At some point this season the Toronto Raptors are going to go all-in on this new developmental path and let the young guys have some free reign. The first hints of that pivot came the last time Toronto took the court and Gradey Dick was involved in the closing lineup and, according to Raptors coach Darko Rajaković, more of that is coming.

“I think that it's going to happen at a certain point. We’re gonna be looking at different players and guys we'll be getting opportunities,” Rajaković said.

The 24-year-old Freeman-Liberty has been stellar with the 905 this season, averaging 23.5 points on 46.8% across 13 games this year. He’s been forced to develop his point guard skills a little more this year, but ideally, he’s a combo guard who can bring the ball up, cut, and shoot.

“Great young player. Everybody loves to be around him. He's very genuine,” Rajaković said. “Plays with a lot of energy crashes the offensive glass, plays kind of tough on both ends of the floor.”

Freeman-Liberty is up with the Raptors on Friday and with Immanuel Quickley sidelined, he may see a longer stint against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Scottie All-Star?

Scottie Barnes’ All-Star candidacy is going to come down to the very end.

He’s had a stellar season for the Raptors last season and the box score stats say he’s as good as anyone else in the conversation for the final few spots. He’s one of only four Eastern Conference players averaging 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists this year.

“I definitely think that he did enough this year to prove that he's an all-star player,” Rajaković said. “I think that what he knows is night in, night out on the offensive end and defensive end that puts him in the category of those guys.”

The problem for Barnes will be Toronto’s 16-28 record. Traditionally coaches weigh winning heavily into the process, starting with the top teams in the conference and adding their top players accordingly. If that’s the case, it’ll be tight. The players ranked Barnes the 11th-best frontcourt player in the East and with just seven reserve spots still up for grabs, it’s not looking good for Toronto’s burgeoning star.