Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett admitted feeling initial frustration watching his former team, the New York Knicks, win the 2026 NBA championship. The Raptors' own season ended with a 114-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on 2026-05-03, a defeat that colored Barrett's immediate reaction. In a recent interview, Barrett reflected on the Knicks' Finals victory and his current focus on bringing success back to Toronto with new teammate Kawhi Leonard.
Barrett described his first emotions as "a little salty." He was honest about the difficulty of celebrating another team's championship so soon after Toronto's playoff exit. The Raptors' recent form shows a 3W-0D-2L record over their last five games, including that season-ending loss to Cleveland. Barrett said, "At first definitely feel a little salty. A little bit in terms of, you know, we lost."
His feelings quickly shifted. Barrett reached out to congratulate his former teammates and friends on the Knicks roster. He maintains strong connections to the organization, noting that one former Knick, Trey Jemison, is now with the Raptors. Barrett also mentioned receiving a shout-out from New York City's mayor. "I'm very happy for them," Barrett stated, "but just hoping to bring some of that success over here."
The conversation naturally turned to Toronto's major offseason move. The Raptors officially completed a trade last week to reacquire Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a pick swap, and two second-round selections to Los Angeles. This deal represents a massive commitment to returning to championship contention.
For Barrett, a lifelong Raptors fan, playing alongside Leonard is a special opportunity. He vividly remembers watching Leonard's famous game-winner against Philadelphia during the 2019 championship run. "I was jumping up and down," Barrett recalled. "So from being a fan to now being able to play with him, that's going to be so special." Leonard's experience and proven ability to deliver in Toronto are seen as key ingredients for the team's future.
The Raptors' 2025-26 campaign concluded with a hard-fought first-round playoff series against Cleveland. The series featured several close games, including a 112-110 Raptors victory on 2026-05-01 and a 125-120 Cleveland win on 2026-04-29. Toronto also secured wins of 93-89 on 2026-04-26 and 126-104 on 2026-04-24. Their final game, however, was the 114-102 loss that ended their season.
This mix of results, captured in a LWLWW sequence over their final five games, shows a team capable of competing but falling just short. The addition of Leonard is designed to bridge that gap. Barrett's personal journey mirrors the team's ambition. He has shifted from watching a former team succeed to actively pursuing that same success with his hometown club. His focus is now entirely on helping the Raptors build a winner, using the championship blueprint he just witnessed from afar.
Barrett's story connects past, present, and future for the franchise. He experienced the high of the 2019 title as a fan and the low of a first-round exit as a player. Now, he gets to team up with the iconic figure from that 2019 run. The goal is clear: transform the initial saltiness over another team's celebration into the sweet taste of a championship in Toronto. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page as they prepare for the new season with their revamped roster.
