RJ Barrett remains without contract extension as Raptors season approaches
The Mississauga, Ont., native is entering the final year of his deal, eligible for a new contract worth up to $44 million per season.
TORONTO — RJ Barrett said he is not worried about his contract status as he enters the final year of his deal with the Toronto Raptors without an extension.
"I was waiting for that one, that was a good question, brother. How am I gonna answer that?" said Barrett on Monday at the team's media day when asked about an extension.
The 26-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., will earn $29.6 million this season before becoming a free agent next summer.
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"I think the playoffs are the biggest stage, so to be able to just show and prove who I already know that I am, that was pretty cool," said Barrett. "And then terms of extension and all that stuff, I don't control any of that stuff."
Barrett averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists over 57 games last season, posting a career-low 1.7 turnovers per game.
His highlight was a 29-foot three-pointer in the dying seconds of overtime in Game 6 of Toronto's first-round playoff series against Cleveland, lifting the Raptors to a 112-110 win to stave off elimination.
"I just control my effort and what I do and how I train, how I come in to try to help the team," Barrett said. "I'm just going to continue to control the things I can control."
Barrett's next deal could be worth up to $44 million per season, but the Raptors are already well above the NBA's salary cap for the 2027-28 season with starters Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl signed to lucrative multi-year deals.
Leonard signed a two-year, $115 million contract extension on Sept. 23, a deal that kept the Raptors below the first apron of salary cap penalties.
Raptors vice-president of basketball operations and general manager Bobby Webster was asked last week if Leonard's extension would impact the team's ability to re-sign Barrett.
"No, I think ownership has been incredibly supportive," said Webster, referring to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. "Any time, financially, we want to make a go for it they've been very supportive."
Barrett said he is leaving the negotiations to his agent, Bill Duffy, who also represents Barnes.
"For anybody who doesn't know, my agent is Bill Duffy, [Barnes's] agent too. I have a pretty good agent, so I don't really worry about stuff," said Barrett. "I think if I thought he wasn't good, I might worry a little bit."
Webster was also asked if there was wiggle room to tweak the roster for a deeper playoff push.
"We have a first-round pick in each of the next four years, I think that's probably important to note," said Webster, implying the picks could be part of a trade package to manage the salary cap.
"I think we're a million over the tax, but similar to last year, we can see how it goes. You can get under it if you need to but you can add to it if you felt like the team is in position [to win]," Webster said. "If we want to go for it, we can still go for it. (...) there's definitely more left on the bone."
Garbutt Disposal reported in September that the Detroit Pistons signed Ausar Thompson to a five-year, $155 million extension while negotiations with Jalen Duren remained at an impasse.
With files from Sportsnet and The Globe and Mail