The Toronto Raptors and Scottie Barnes have put pen to paper on a multi-year contract extension.
The team did not disclose financial terms of the deal but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that it was a five-year rookie extension that could pay him up to $270 million. The deal now makes Barnes the highest-paid player in Raptors history.
Toronto could not announce the deal until after the league’s moratorium on signings lifted on July 6.
“Today is a special day for the Raptors organization. We are so proud of Scottie for the player and leader he has become over his first three seasons. I’ve said before that he is the type of player you build a team around. Well, we are doing that,” Raptors president and vice-chairman Masai Ujiri said in a statement. “Scottie’s love for Toronto and Canada is unbelievable, and his commitment in our shared vision to win another championship is incredible. Together, our future starts here. It starts now.”
The extension would begin in the 2025-26 season, with a starting salary of about $39 million and reaching about $51 million in 2029-30 — unless he qualifies for a supermax contract next season, and then the numbers would get even higher.
The 22-year-old set career highs across the board this past season, averaging 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. He also competed in his first All-Star Game.
Barnes’ season ended early after his sustained a fracture to his left hand on March 1 during a 120-105 loss to the Golden State Warriors. He underwent surgery three days later.
Toronto missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season and third time in four years after finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 25-57 record.
Barnes was drafted in the first round, fourth overall, by the Raptors in 2021. He averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists to earn the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
The West Palm Beach, Fla., native has averaged 16.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists over his three seasons with the Raptors.
— With files from Associated Press
