The Predators took care of the newly acquired Kawhi Leonard, signing the star signed a two-year, $115 million contract extension last week. Toronto is in no rush to keep the starting quarterback Arjay Barrett for this season.
Long agent Raptors and Barrett, Bill Duffyhave not yet had substantive conversations about the possibility of extending the contract, Sportsnet’s Michael Grange reports. An extension for Barrett could be worth $185 million over four seasons.
Barrett is in the final year of the four-year, $107 million contract he originally signed with his former team, the Knicks. There’s optimism that Barrett’s desire to strike a deal that will keep him in Toronto long-term isn’t one-sided, Grange adds. However, future financial obligations could make it difficult for the Raptors to re-sign Barrett.
Scotty Barnes enters the second year of a five-year, $244 million extension. Immanuel Quickley is owed $32.5m annually through the 2028/29 season. Jacob PoeltlThe three-year, $84 million extension begins in the 2027/28 season. The Raptors will also have to take care of some recent draft picks.
All of these factors work against Barrett, whose expiring contract could be a valuable trade piece this season. Barrett averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season.
Barrett says his contract situation won’t be a distraction.
“I feel like at the end of the day, whether you get a contract or not, you just keep playing.” he said. “If it’s not one place, someone else is going to want you. You’re always auditioning every time you step on the floor. So always do your best.”
Barrett believes Duffy will get him a good deal, whether it’s a contract extension with the Raptors or a free agent contract next offseason.
“I think the first thing is that often players get too upset about it,” he said. “First of all, they’re going to pay me a lot of money this year anyway ($29.6 million), so I’ve got to be thankful for that. And I’ve got a good agent — I’m just letting him do his thing. What happens, happens.”
