ESPN’s Zach Lowe revealed former New York Knicks wing R.J. Barrett’s contract was viewed as a “toxic asset” by some anonymous NBA front office members and coaches following his trade to the Toronto Raptors. “I’ve always said if there’s a continuum of RJ Barrett optimism and pessimism—and over here on the pessimistic side is like, ‘He just stinks, he’s a toxic asset.’ And that is a word that got thrown around yesterday in my conversations with front office people and coaches—toxic asset. Like you’re swallowing his contract,” Lowe said during the latest edition of The Lowe Post podcast (20:30 mark).
Source: zach bachar @ Bleacher Report
Source: zach bachar @ Bleacher Report
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are both hoping to take advantage of a fresh start with the Raptors and they didn’t waste any time in their shared debut, even after a chaotic few days: tsn.ca/lewenberg-barr… pic.twitter.com/teN9482hKQ – 1:27 AM
RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are both hoping to take advantage of a fresh start with the Raptors and they didn’t waste any time in their shared debut, even after a chaotic few days: tsn.ca/lewenberg-barr… pic.twitter.com/teN9482hKQ – 1:27 AM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
One other note on the Raptors-Cavs game:
I loved how RJ Barrett played as a scorer. Basically everything off-ball. Four shots in transition, a putback, two spot-up catch and shoot 3s, a couple attacked closeouts for attempts.
It all felt a little more natural and in-rhythm. – 12:00 AM
One other note on the Raptors-Cavs game:
I loved how RJ Barrett played as a scorer. Basically everything off-ball. Four shots in transition, a putback, two spot-up catch and shoot 3s, a couple attacked closeouts for attempts.
It all felt a little more natural and in-rhythm. – 12:00 AM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
RJ Barrett said this was “way better” than any previous game at Toronto. Also finished media availability answering a question in French. – 11:00 PM
RJ Barrett said this was “way better” than any previous game at Toronto. Also finished media availability answering a question in French. – 11:00 PM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
My big takeaway from RJ Barrett’s Raps debut: He’s going to bully his way to the rim and make *something* happen. Mostly good, sometimes trying to do a little too much. pic.twitter.com/ZbwcJcvwXO – 10:27 PM
My big takeaway from RJ Barrett’s Raps debut: He’s going to bully his way to the rim and make *something* happen. Mostly good, sometimes trying to do a little too much. pic.twitter.com/ZbwcJcvwXO – 10:27 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
RJ Barrett after helping the Raptors win in his debut:
“I’m back home, baby, I’m back home. Keep supporting the Raptors.” – 10:19 PM
RJ Barrett after helping the Raptors win in his debut:
“I’m back home, baby, I’m back home. Keep supporting the Raptors.” – 10:19 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
“This is what Quick & I are here to do; we’re here to help winning.”
Ex-Knick RJ Barrett to @Sportsnet after he scored 19p (6-12 shooting, 6-8 FTs) & had 9r (3 off) in his TOR debut. Immanuel Quickley started & had 14p, 6r, 3a, 2 steals & 0 turnovers in Raptors’ win over CLE. – 10:17 PM
“This is what Quick & I are here to do; we’re here to help winning.”
Ex-Knick RJ Barrett to @Sportsnet after he scored 19p (6-12 shooting, 6-8 FTs) & had 9r (3 off) in his TOR debut. Immanuel Quickley started & had 14p, 6r, 3a, 2 steals & 0 turnovers in Raptors’ win over CLE. – 10:17 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
New look Raptors go to 1-0
Pascal Siakam with 36 points
Here’s a ? the front office will need to ask leading up to the Feb. 8 deadline.
Anunoby trade will give them a 5 week window.
Does the front office believe a core of Siakam, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl and… – 10:16 PM
New look Raptors go to 1-0
Pascal Siakam with 36 points
Here’s a ? the front office will need to ask leading up to the Feb. 8 deadline.
Anunoby trade will give them a 5 week window.
Does the front office believe a core of Siakam, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl and… – 10:16 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on @njdotcom
Julius Randle calls OG Anunoby ‘perfect piece’ to ‘complement’ Knicks
Randle then rooted for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, who combined for 33 points, 15 boards and 4 assists in their Raptors’ debut
nj.com/sports/2024/01… – 10:11 PM
Now on @njdotcom
Julius Randle calls OG Anunoby ‘perfect piece’ to ‘complement’ Knicks
Randle then rooted for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, who combined for 33 points, 15 boards and 4 assists in their Raptors’ debut
nj.com/sports/2024/01… – 10:11 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
RJ Barrett on the line with the Raptors with the game on the line — nails both.
Cleveland trailing by 3 with seven seconds left and the ball.
Donovan Mitchell will go for the 3, I’m guessing.
And my advice for the Raptors: foul. – 10:03 PM
RJ Barrett on the line with the Raptors with the game on the line — nails both.
Cleveland trailing by 3 with seven seconds left and the ball.
Donovan Mitchell will go for the 3, I’m guessing.
And my advice for the Raptors: foul. – 10:03 PM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
On the court right now we’ve got Mississauga (RJ Barrett), Brampton (Tristan Thompson) and Montreal (Chris Boucher). – 8:15 PM
On the court right now we’ve got Mississauga (RJ Barrett), Brampton (Tristan Thompson) and Montreal (Chris Boucher). – 8:15 PM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
RJ Barrett scores his first as a Raptor on a tough layup. Darko appears to be trying to throw off the Cavaliers by playing two lefties at once (Thad Young). Have we seen two lefty Raptors on the floor since MoPete/Jalen or MoPete/Bosh or Jalen/Bosh? – 8:02 PM
RJ Barrett scores his first as a Raptor on a tough layup. Darko appears to be trying to throw off the Cavaliers by playing two lefties at once (Thad Young). Have we seen two lefty Raptors on the floor since MoPete/Jalen or MoPete/Bosh or Jalen/Bosh? – 8:02 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Quickley drives into Jarrett Allen and misses a layup on the team’s first possession, but puts them on the board with his first bucket as a Raptor (a 3-ball from RJ Barrett) moments later. Barnes follows with a 3 of his own. Future looking brighter than it was a few days ago. – 7:44 PM
Quickley drives into Jarrett Allen and misses a layup on the team’s first possession, but puts them on the board with his first bucket as a Raptor (a 3-ball from RJ Barrett) moments later. Barnes follows with a 3 of his own. Future looking brighter than it was a few days ago. – 7:44 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
RJ Barrett introduced as a Raptors starter for the first time. Pretty cool 🇨🇦🏀 moment and a special one for RJ and his family, no doubt. pic.twitter.com/db8MH9QpVQ – 7:40 PM
RJ Barrett introduced as a Raptors starter for the first time. Pretty cool 🇨🇦🏀 moment and a special one for RJ and his family, no doubt. pic.twitter.com/db8MH9QpVQ – 7:40 PM
Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
RJ Barrett gets a very loud applause too pic.twitter.com/bJNHCeW5xw – 7:40 PM
RJ Barrett gets a very loud applause too pic.twitter.com/bJNHCeW5xw – 7:40 PM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Maaaaassive pop for RJ Barrett from the fans during intros. Pretty loud for Quickley too. – 7:39 PM
Maaaaassive pop for RJ Barrett from the fans during intros. Pretty loud for Quickley too. – 7:39 PM
Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Via Raps PR:
STARTING FIVE | Jan. 1 vs. Cleveland:
RJ Barrett
Pascal Siakam
Jakob Poeltl
Scottie Barnes
Immanuel Quickley – 7:02 PM
Via Raps PR:
STARTING FIVE | Jan. 1 vs. Cleveland:
RJ Barrett
Pascal Siakam
Jakob Poeltl
Scottie Barnes
Immanuel Quickley – 7:02 PM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
RJ Barrett going through first pre-game as a Raptor. Team now has two Canadians and two lefties. pic.twitter.com/iOvEynjzdF – 6:14 PM
RJ Barrett going through first pre-game as a Raptor. Team now has two Canadians and two lefties. pic.twitter.com/iOvEynjzdF – 6:14 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Promising early returns for the Knicks offense: They trade away RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley but still manage 61 first-half points and lead the Wolves by 12 entering halftime.
Randle: 21
Brunson: 13
Anunoby: 7
Grimes: 7
Hart: 8 – 4:13 PM
Promising early returns for the Knicks offense: They trade away RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley but still manage 61 first-half points and lead the Wolves by 12 entering halftime.
Randle: 21
Brunson: 13
Anunoby: 7
Grimes: 7
Hart: 8 – 4:13 PM
Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Seems you can go home again, and welcome all that goes with it. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley make their Raptors debut
thestar.com/sports/raptors… – 2:53 PM
Seems you can go home again, and welcome all that goes with it. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley make their Raptors debut
thestar.com/sports/raptors… – 2:53 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
RJ Barrett is unsure if he’ll play tonight, though he did practice. Still taking in everything that comes with getting traded.
“I know nothing.” – 11:27 AM
RJ Barrett is unsure if he’ll play tonight, though he did practice. Still taking in everything that comes with getting traded.
“I know nothing.” – 11:27 AM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
RJ Barrett: “I mean who doesn’t want to come home and play in front of family and friends and get a team that I’ve always loved so much back to where they were in 2019?” pic.twitter.com/c6FzPOMd4Z – 11:22 AM
RJ Barrett: “I mean who doesn’t want to come home and play in front of family and friends and get a team that I’ve always loved so much back to where they were in 2019?” pic.twitter.com/c6FzPOMd4Z – 11:22 AM
More on this storyline
Josh Lewenberg: Warm welcome for Immanuel Quickley and (especially) Toronto’s own RJ Barrett ahead of their first game/start with the Raptors. pic.twitter.com/cFTsTQ16nE -via Twitter @JLew1050 / January 1, 2024
Josh Lewenberg: Rajakovic said he wouldn’t read too much into who starts and who doesn’t tonight as that could be fluid for a bit, he also points out that the new guys just got here yesterday, but stresses that both Barrett and Quickley are “impact players” that should have big roles immediately -via Twitter @JLew1050 / January 1, 2024
Josh Lewenberg: RJ Barrett: “It’s great. I’m really happy, really excited to be here. I’m thankful. I’m blessed… I grew up a Raptors fan all my life. So to come here and put the jersey on, it’s going to be great.” -via Twitter @JLew1050 / January 1, 2024
