West Palm Beach's Scottie Barnes talks about Toronto Raptors' busy offseason
WEST PALM BEACH — The Toronto Raptors have had quite the busy offseason.
Between the addition of Gradey Dick, finding a point guard in Dennis Schroder, and filling out a staff under new head coach Darko Rajakovic, Raptors fans will see a new-look squad this season.
There to talk about the changes was forward Scottie Barnes, who last week returned to his hometown to co-host a free youth basketball camp in conjunction with Handlelife at Keiser University.
The former Florida State Seminole standout and 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year posted 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game last season — and he should continue to be a centerpiece for Toronto.
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Barnes spoke about the team’s first-round draft selection, the addition of Schroder and the new scheme under Rajakovic, as the Raptors look to rediscover their 2019 championship form.
Gradey Dick brings excitement to Toronto offense
One of the most talented pure shooters to come out of the draft, Dick shot an eye-turning 40.3% from downtown to help lead Kansas’ offense last season.
The Jayhawks’ sharpshooter was ranked in a class all his own by the Raptors, according to general manager Bobby Webster during the team’s post-draft news conference.
“He’s a kid that has played at a high level,” Barnes said. “He brings a lot of energy to the game of basketball defensively. Offensively, he has a great skill set — catch and shoot, being able to get to the rim, being able to finish, being athletic.”
Standing 6-foot-8, Dick’s height is also a plus for Toronto. The rookie guard averaged five rebounds per game, including a team-high nine rebounds per game during the NCAA Tournament.
“Tall and having size, that’s something we need on our team,” said Barnes, who FaceTimed the newcomer after the draft and is excited to meet the latest addition to the Raptors.
Schroder brings veteran presence in wake of VanFleet departure
After playing a key role in the Los Angeles Lakers’ unexpected playoff run last season, point guard Schroder agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal with Toronto last week.
The veteran brings speed and an ability to get into the paint, while also adding a strong defensive presence.
Though his three-point shot has shown a degree of inconsistency, perhaps the biggest plus the Raptors are getting in Schroder is his extensive playoff experience. He has made the postseason in eight of his 10 NBA seasons.
“He’s a vet, been in the game for a long time,” Barnes said. “He knows the game’s ins and outs, so he’s going to bring that vet leadership. He’s also a very great player and a person that knows how to play with a lot of pace. He knows how to treat the mental aspect of the game as well.”
After the Raptors lost Fred VanFleet to Houston in free agency, Schroder brings proven starter time and can provide a presence off the bench when needed.
ESPN currently has Schroder projected as the starting point guard.
New coach, new scheme – Rajakovic set to lead Raptors
When asked whether he liked his new coach, Barnes’ answer was immediate.
“Yes, for sure.”
The Raptors’ 10th head coach is the second European-born coach in NBA history.
He brings a wealth of basketball coaching experience, dating back to 1996.
Prior to being hired by Toronto, Rajakovic was a long-time assistant in the league, spending nine years between the Thunder, Suns and Grizzlies organizations.
With Rajakovic at the helm, the Raptors have quietly filled out an experienced staff, bringing in Pat Delany from the Wizards, Jama Mahlalela from the Warriors, Vin Bhavnani from the Thunder and Mike Batiste, who played with the Grizzlies for a year in the early 2000s.
The Raptors' scheme will be changing.
“We’ve got a new coach, so it’s going to be a new system,” Barnes said. “Everything is going to be different.
“He just has a different philosophy of basketball, of how it should be played. Throughout ball movement, high pick-and-rolls, playing the right way and making the right passes and making the right plays.”
But Barnes, who started his high school career at Cardinal Newman, said the goal remains the same — getting back to the championship by rediscovering the success the franchise had in the 2018-19 season.
Barnes says that it boils down to getting back to a winning culture.
“We all know that we can win at the level we can get to, and we all know what it takes to get there,” he said. “We’ve just got to get back to winning. That’s our main attitude, and we have the pieces to do it. It’s just on us to go out there and produce every single night and play at the highest level.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes likes additions of Gradey Dick, Dennis Schroder
