Will Barton to Toronto Raptors reportedly confirmed: What are his contract details? Salary, duration, and more
Will Barton is reportedly on the way to Toronto after completing his buyout with the Washington Wizards according to Adrian Wojnarowski. The move, which comes on the heels of the team waiving Juancho Hernangomez, will hopefully give Barton a fresh start.
ESPN Sources: Free agent G Will Barton is signing with the Toronto Raptors. After completing buyout with Wizards, Barton will join Toronto and be eligible for a playoff roster. He’s played in 29 career postseason games with Nuggets and Blazers.
Although Barton will move up the Eastern Conference ladder slightly with the move, the Raptors sit just one spot ahead of the Wizards.
Currently, over 40 games played this season, Barton has averaged 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for the Wizards. During that time, he's shot 38.7% from the field, as well as 38% from beyond the arc.
You can see some of his season highlights in the video above!
Will Barton’s move to Toronto, his role in rotations and contract details
This isn’t the first time Will Barton has been linked to the Toronto Raptors. In the midst of a season that saw him struggle to shoot the ball at times. After seeing his load decrease significantly at the end of 2022, reports emerged that the NBA vet had drawn interest from several teams.
Although the Wizards were reportedly receptive to calls before the trade deadline, it’s clear that the Raptors were keeping an eye on things. Now has the opportunity to contribute more in Toronto, many are hoping his production improves.
So far there has been no word yet on how long the Raptors will look to sign Will Barton for after his buyout. It is important to note that he and the Wizards must complete the buyout first before anything is finalized in Toronto.
From the look of things, Barton will play a pretty consistent role with the Raptors. With the team waiving Juancho Hernangomez, it’s no secret that they lack a backup small forward. At six-foot-six, Barton can provide a strong offensive presence, despite the fact that his defensive rating of 116.3 leaves a lot to be desired.
Most notably, Barton brings playoff experience to the young team. With 29 career postseason games during his time in Denver and in Portland, Barton’s experience could be a guiding force for the team both on and off the court. With the Raptors being a bottom-three team in both offensive and defensive efficiency this season, do you think Barton will be able to get things going?
Above you can see footage of Barton dropping 22 points on the Brooklyn Nets prior to the All- Star break.