The NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year doesn’t want to hear about his teammates potentially leaving the Raptors this summer.
In a recent NBA 2K stream, Scottie Barnes took a moment to blast NBA insider/reporter Jake Fischer, who reported earlier that OG Anunoby wanted a trade from Toronto.
“Jake L. Fischer. Why is Jake L. Fischer following me?” the Raptors forward said. “Nah, there’s no way the man thinks it’s cool to follow me after he’s putting out bad reports. It’s sick. Talking about my boy wanting a trade? It’s sick, bro. Sickening. You’ve gotta do better, fam.”
https://t.co/dw6aIAHZ4f pic.twitter.com/M1w1nHqgiE
— Cole (@CmsbSpin) June 15, 2022
Barnes is a key piece to Toronto’s future, and he has vocalized his loyalty to the franchise on several occasions. It’s no surprise that he takes issue with Fischer’s reporting. This week was not the only time he has called him out.
Still, he hasn’t taken back his claim of Anunoby’s unhappiness and there is a sense that he could be moved this offseason.
Following a standout season from Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, word has circulated among rival front offices that Anunoby grew dissatisfied at times with his role in Toronto, where Barnes joined Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet as the primary ball-handlers in Nick Nurse’s offense.
Two sources with knowledge of the dynamic told B/R that Anunoby has not directly expressed discontent with his situation with the Raptors. Perhaps the conversation around him has been driven more by external interest in acquiring the fifth-year forward’s services.
Whatever is going on in Toronto, Scottie Barnes isn’t trying to hear it. In the aftermath of a very impressive rookie campaign, his eyes are on the future and building up his team into a true title contender.
Whether the rumors are true or not, he will stand by his guys and support his fellow Raptors against the inevitable tide of trade rumors. It is the heart of a true loyalist.
