Need to take pressure off Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes a Raptors must

A calendar year ends with more questions surrounding the Raptors than answers, issues ranging from a bench that looks good on one night only to look completely underwhelming the next.

No one can say with certainty if Jakob Poeltl’s wonky back will ever be healthy again that allows him to play for an extended stretch of games.

Following a 15-game injury absence, RJ Barrett has looked fine in the two games he’s been available as the Raptors justifiably exercise extreme caution when it comes to limiting his minutes.

Whether it was how the Raptors ended 2025 or how the team is expected to perform in 2026, so much of what this club is able to achieve with rest on the shoulders of Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes.

So many, and time has shown that so many have clearly been proven wrong, thought the acquisition of Immanuel Quickley would provide the ideal complement for Barnes.

Turns out the ideal running mate for Barnes has been Ingram.

Given the financial investment the Raptors earmarked for Quickley, he isn’t likely to be moved.

For this team to move into the ranks of legitimate playoff contenders, he needs to be more consistent and less prone to launch early shot clock heaves.

Fourth In The East

A new year begins with the Raptors sporting a 20-15 record, good enough for fourth in a cluttered Eastern Conference where the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks figure to continue to create separation.

The Raptors have won 10 games at home, 10 on the road.

For those wanting to look deeper into the record, they’ll point to a nine-game win streak built primarily against one-third of Toronto’s competition combining to win three games.

Twice the Raptors have been blown out by the Knicks, twice the Raptors failed to match Boston’s toughness in home losses.

Before the Raptors returned for a five-game homestand, losses in Brooklyn and Washington were posted, efforts that raised all kinds of red flags.

It took a monster triple-double by Barnes to beat Golden State in overtime as the Raptors tipped off their prolonged stint at home.

A 21-point deficit against Orlando was overcome.

The calendar year ended with a loss to the injury riddled Denver Nuggets.

The win over the Magic was sparked by Toronto’s bench.

The second unit wasn’t responsible for the setback to the Nuggets, but its play left much to be desired.

Double Digit Deficits

In all three games leading up to the end of 2025, the Raptors fell behind by double figures after the opening quarter.

They’ve been good at times and beaten teams the Raptors should have beaten moments when the Raptors have lacked competitive fight and defensive engagement, games when the Raptors lost to bad teams.

In other words, it’s been a mixed bag.

And yet, the Raptors posted 20 wins as the NBA’s mid-way point awaits and as the league’s trade deadline looms.

As long as Ingram and Barnes avoid an injury, the Raptors figure to be in the mix for at least a top-six spot, the cut-off point to avoid the play-in tournament.

What’s clear is the Raptors must somehow provide both Ingram and Barnes with help.

Too much is being asked of each and eventually something must give.

Perhaps a healthy Poeltl and a fully available Barrett will take the mounting pressure off Ingram and Barnes.

Quickley has shown flashes, but he has to be better.

The team’s bench is young and generally inexperienced, which explains the wild swings in performance.

Taking A Swing

The Raptors can continue to forge this path of allowing their young pieces to develop, while hoping Ingram and Barnes continue to elevate their game.

Or they can take a swing with the goal of acquiring a player to better take advantage of Ingram’s and Barnes’ presence.

When Ingram had an off night in Miami, Barnes stepped up.

When Ingram’s offence struggled against Orlando, Toronto’s bench flourished.

Twice in the past three games Barnes recorded triple-doubles, a first for a Raptors player, for what it’s worth.

His overall game is not in question, though his jumper remains very much in question.

There’s nothing to question about Ingram’s offensive versatility.

When the ball is in his hands, Ingram makes things happen, either for himself or his teammates.

He’s the best option in the half court and the only option unless a mismatch gets created, which allows Barnes to dominate in the post.

On New Year’s Eve, the Raptors took exactly 100 shots from the field.

They made 37.

In their 106-103 loss to Denver, the Raptors heaved 45 attempts from beyond the three-point arc.

They made 12.

Toronto got lucky when two free throws were missed by the Nuggets that would have sealed the win.

Ingram’s potential game-tying attempt was originally ruled a basket, only to be negated following a video review that showed the ball was still on his fingers when time expired.

As a new year rings in, the Raptors are in a good place, at least in terms of the standings.

For the Raptors to maintain their standing, they have to add a piece to play alongside Ingram and Barnes.

Eventually, inconsistency in performance and inconsistency in engagement will catch up to the Raptors.

Orlando, Philly, Miami and Cleveland are likely to get better and active in the trade market.

Toronto needs to be just as aggressive or risk dropping in the standings.

Toronto’s margins are pretty slim.