(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Scottie Barnes has spent his first two years in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors.
During that time, he has turned into one of the most reliable starters for the team.
He has stayed very consistent in his first two seasons offensively and defensively.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic believes that Barnes could end up earning a huge NBA honor at some point.
“Scottie one day is going to be Defensive Player of the Year,” Rajakovic told Michael Grange, according to theScore.
Do you think Scottie Barnes will win the DPOY award? pic.twitter.com/07sKZN8NQw
— theScore (@theScore) October 24, 2023
Last season, Barnes averaged 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
That is remarkably similar to his rookie season, which had Barnes notching 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
The 22-year-old forward is a tough fighter on the floor and is willing to size up any other opponent, no matter their size or experience.
This could lead to winning DPOY at some point and can really help the Raptors in the near future.
There were brief rumors that the Portland Trail Blazers wanted Barnes as part of a deal for Damian Lillard in the summer.
But Toronto has no intention of losing the former Rookie of the Year, especially now.
The team is about to have what could be a transformative year.
They have a brand new coach and they lost Fred VanVleet, who headed down south to the Houston Rockets in the summer.
Now more than ever, the Raptors need Barnes to be firing on all cylinders and playing his heart out.
Barnes joined the Raptors during a very interesting and troubled period, with the team floundering to re-establish itself in the Eastern Conference.
This new season of change could be a very important one for the team and Barnes as well.
The post Raptors HC Says 1 Player Will Become DPOY One Day appeared first on The Cold Wire.