The Los Angeles Lakers are riding high in mid-February, having won 10 of their last 12 games. With Luka Doncic firmly established as the team’s cornerstone, the franchise is in a strong position to contend for championships in the coming years. While the focus remains on the current season, speculation about potential offseason moves is already heating up. One name that has emerged as a possible target for the Lakers is former New York Knicks star RJ Barrett.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Barrett’s future with the Toronto Raptors is uncertain. “Pinpointing Barrett’s standing is trickier,” Fischer wrote. “The Canadian has two more seasons left on his current contract after this one at $27.7 million in 2025-26 and then $29.6 million in 2026-27.” Fischer also noted that the Raptors’ focus on developing young talents like Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter could make RJ Barrett a trade candidate this summer.
Barrett, who was drafted third overall by the Knicks in 2019, spent four-and-a-half seasons in New York before being traded to Toronto in January 2024. While he was a reliable secondary scorer for the Knicks, his inconsistent three-point shooting and underwhelming playoff performances led to his departure. Since joining the Raptors, Barrett has shown flashes of improvement, averaging 21.8 points per game on 55.3% shooting from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc in 32 games last season.
This season, RJ Barrett’s shooting efficiency has dipped slightly, but he’s started February strong, posting 23.5 points per game while shooting 51.3% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. If he can sustain this level of play, Barrett could become an attractive option for teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, who are in need of reliable perimeter scoring to complement Doncic.
Pairing RJ Barrett with Luka Doncic would create a dynamic offensive duo. Doncic’s ability to draw defenders and kick the ball out to a capable shooter like Barrett could elevate the Lakers’ offense to new heights. However, any potential deal would depend on the Raptors’ willingness to part ways with RJ Barrett and the Los Angeles Lakers’ ability to make the finances work.
As the offseason approaches, all eyes will be on Barrett and whether the Los Angeles Lakers can pull off a move to bring him to Los Angeles. For now, fans can only speculate, but the possibility of a Barrett-Doncic partnership is certainly intriguing.
