RJ Barrett’s improving stats with the Raptors prove he should be the favorite to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2024-25

Getting buckets has never been a problem for RJ Barrett. He averaged 18.1 points per game over five seasons with the Knicks, 21.8 points per game with the Raptors and was the fourth-leading scorer at the Olympics this summer. He was always impressed by his efficiency.

Barrett’s 51.8 percent shooting percentage – a measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account the value of free throws and 3-pointers – was well below the league average of 58.0 percent in New York last season, giving him the earned a reputation as a chucker.

Barrett came to Toronto via trade with the recruitment of a kid who is transferring schools. He had the opportunity to reinvent himself and literally took advantage of it. Over the course of 32 games, Barrett completely overthrew that chucker narrative, increasing his shooting percentage to an outstanding 61.5 percent while increasing his scoring output.

These are first-class points and efficiency ratings that are only achieved by the best of the best. Last year they were only able to get 14 players, and this list includes the best players in the league. All of our top eight players entering the 2024-25 season are included along with other All-Stars.

Barrett’s vast improvement went largely unnoticed on a bad Raptors team. If he can do it again for an entire season, the applause will grow. He has a great chance of winning the league’s Most Improved Player award.

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Why RJ Barrett will be the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2024-25

The big question for Barrett this season is how much of his development with the Raptors last season was real and how much was just a result of hot shooting. He increased his 3-point percentage dramatically, from 33.1 percent in the first half in New York to 39.2 percent in Toronto.

This may seem like a coincidence, but Barrett continued that winning streak during the Olympics for Team Canada, averaging 19.8 points per game and hitting 43.8 percent of his three-pointers. He also hit 40.1 percent of his threes in his second year in the league. That sniper could be who Barrett is now.

Even though Barrett’s 3-point accuracy is declining, he is still a different and better player than he was in New York for a variety of reasons.

First, Barrett learned to capitalize on his strengths. He is a bully driver at his finest. When he puts his head down and tries to cut through defenders, no one can stop him. He was a fantastic finisher at the rim for the Raptors and shot more from close range. This improved shot selection and greater reliance on attacks contributed significantly to his improved strike rate and efficiency.

When the Raptors acquired RJ Barrett, his shot quality stats improved significantly from 22-23 compared to last season.

These metrics combine his 32 games against Toronto and 26 games against New York.

Barrett’s improvement in shot quality may have been the key to his increased efficiency with the… pic.twitter.com/AEcbcvaDoi

— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) August 17, 2024

POSITIONAL RANKING: PG | SG | SF | PF | C

Second, Barrett had a much simpler role with the Raptors. Playing alongside natural initiators like Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes immediately paid off for him. His percentage of assist shots increased significantly from 54.3 percent two years ago to 68.4 percent after the trade.

The fact that Barrett is setting tables more and more often shouldn’t be a huge surprise. During his tenure with Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks, he played in a somewhat isolated system. It didn’t sit well with him. In a more egalitarian, cutting-heavy offense, he has seen his scoring prosper.

Barrett also saw a rapid increase in his playing ability last season – his assists went from 2.8 per game in New York to 4.1 per game in Toronto. He had the ball in his hands more often in advantage situations and was able to play for his teammates.

Barrett’s decision-making in New York was nowhere near as good as it was in Toronto. He has gotten better at reading the defense and finding open teammates when the defense collapses on his attacks.

RANKING THE NBA’S BEST DEFENSEMEN: 100-11 | 10-1

Barrett has found a great complement to Darko Rajakovic’s offensive system, and last year’s results are visible to anyone who watches. He was only 23 years old when he was traded, and thinking he was a largely finished product just four years into his career was a mistake by the Knicks that the Raptors capitalized on.

Barrett showed tremendous growth last season and he’s ready to continue that rise this year.