Ja'Kobe

Walter

Barrett will sit out Sunday’s season finale for rest reasons, while Walter’s absence is due to a tight right hip flexor. Ochai Agbaji and Jamison Battle started Friday’s loss in Dallas and should retain those roles in San Antonio. Barrett has long been a better option in points leagues than category leagues, but he did make some strides in the former this season, providing 12th-round value in eight-cat formats. However, the addition of Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline does not bode well for Barrett’s fantasy prospects in 2025-26. The same can be said for Walter, as injuries limited the first-round pick to 52 appearances as a rookie. While Barrett can be selected with a late-round pick in standard drafts, Walter should be left alone in redraft leagues.

Barrett and Walter will not be available on Friday. The latter will miss a second-straight game due to a hip injury. AJ Lawson and Jamison Battle will play more minutes, which would also be the case for Jared Rhoden (shoulder) if he’s allowed to suit up. Rhoden is questionable for Friday night.

The rookie has played well recently. Almost too well for Toronto’s liking. He’s listed as out with right hip flexor tightness, and his absence will open up minutes for AJ Lawson, Jamison Battle and Jared Rhoden.

Walter led the team in minutes played with 32 as well as points with 22 in Friday’s loss to the Pistons. The 20-year-old shooting guard made the most of his opportunity as the team continues to give him looks down the stretch of a lost season. Walter figures to be a part of the Raptors future plans as a rotational player at minimum.

No surprises here, as Toronto has alternated rest days for many of its starters since the All-Star break. The Raptors played Thursday, so Barrett and Agbaji will sit out the second leg of the back-to-back set. In their absence, Ja’Kobe Walter and Jamison Battle should earn some extra minutes.

It has been a quiet rookie season for Walter, but he has taken advantage of his opportunity recently and provided a glimmer of hope for the future. He has scored in double figures in each of his last seven appearances and has averaged 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and four triples over Toronto’s last two games. He’ll continue to play a significant role for the rest of the season, and while it won’t guarantee him a starting job next season, he could be a solid rotation piece for them in year two.

Barrett and Agbaji are set to rest again Tuesday just as they did last Friday. Ja’Kobe Walter should be in the starting while AJ Lawson and Jamison Battle also stand to see additional minutes.

Walter finished behind RJ Barrett (31) for team lead in the scoring department, and he led Toronto in rebounding. Best of all, Walter racked up some big defensive totals and shot efficiently from the floor. Expect him to continue playing big minutes down the final stretch of the season.

The Raptors are without Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl, resulting in Shead and Robinson moving into the starting lineup. The other change is Walter, whose inclusion in the starting lineup bumps Jamison Battle to the bench. Shead, Robinson and Walter are all worth streaming for Sunday’s action.

Despite not having a back-to-back to manage, the Raptors have decided to rest Barrett and Agbaji for Friday’s game. The former’s absence opens up a spot in the starting lineup, which Immanuel Quickley could fill since he is not on the injury report. That would keep Ja’Kobe Walter in the starting five, maintaining his fantasy ceiling. AJ Lawson and Jamison Battle may also see their playing time increase, but Walter offers the higher fantasy upside if he continues to start.