The Toronto Raptors may have created one of the biggest problems of their offseason without making a single move.

While much of the attention around the franchise has been consumed by the long-running Kawhi Leonard situation, another major issue has quietly developed in the background — the uncertain future of RJ Barrett.

Toronto entered the offseason facing an important decision regarding the former No. 3 overall pick. The Raptors had two obvious routes available: commit to Barrett with a new contract or explore the trade market while his value was potentially at its highest.

Instead, neither happened.

That decision could prove extremely costly.

Barrett is heading into the final year of his current contract, meaning the Raptors are now approaching a situation where they could potentially lose an important member of their core without receiving anything in return.

That is the risk Toronto has taken by allowing the summer to pass without resolving his future.

And considering what Barrett produced last season, it is understandable why this decision has raised eyebrows.

The 26-year-old had arguably one of the strongest stretches of his career, averaging 24.1 points per game while shooting 38.6 percent from three-point range. He also delivered one of the biggest moments of Toronto’s playoff campaign when he hit a game-winning shot against Cleveland.

Those performances dramatically changed the conversation surrounding his future.

Before the playoffs, there were legitimate questions about whether Barrett was the right long-term fit alongside Scottie Barnes and the rest of Toronto’s core. After his postseason performances, however, the Raptors suddenly had a valuable asset who could either become an important piece of their future or command serious value on the trade market.

Toronto ultimately chose neither path.

That is what makes the situation so uncomfortable.

Toronto may have missed its best opportunity

The Raptors have not technically lost the opportunity to extend Barrett. They can still negotiate with him during the season.

But the circumstances are now considerably more complicated.

Training camp is approaching, and Toronto’s attention will soon shift almost entirely toward building chemistry and competing. The organization also has other major contractual situations to address, including its plans surrounding Leonard and the future of Jamal Shead.

That leaves Barrett’s situation hanging over the team.

The biggest concern is simple: what happens if Barrett has another outstanding season?

If he takes another step forward, his asking price could rise considerably. Instead of negotiating from the position they had this summer, the Raptors could find themselves trying to convince him to stay after he has increased his value even further.

There is another possibility that could be even worse for Toronto.

Barrett could reach free agency next summer and decide to leave.

In that scenario, the Raptors would lose a productive player who was once considered a significant part of their future without receiving a major asset in return.

That would make the decision to stand still this summer look particularly painful.

The trade opportunity was there

There is also an argument that Toronto should have explored a trade immediately after Barrett’s impressive playoff run.

His value may never have been higher.

The Raptors could potentially have used him as the centerpiece of a deal for multiple rotation players or attempted to acquire a starting guard whose skill set better complemented Barnes and Leonard.

Instead, the front office kept Barrett.

That decision is not necessarily doomed to fail. Barrett is still a talented scorer and Toronto is undoubtedly a better team with him available than without him.

But the fit remains a legitimate question.

Playing Barrett alongside Barnes and Leonard could create some difficult offensive decisions, particularly when it comes to spacing, ball distribution and establishing clear roles.

Those concerns made the offseason an ideal time to evaluate every possibility.

Toronto could have committed to Barrett and removed the uncertainty.

It could have traded him and reshaped the roster.

Instead, the Raptors have entered the season with the biggest question still unanswered.

Barrett now holds plenty of leverage

The longer this situation continues, the more leverage could shift toward the player.

If Barrett performs at an even higher level during the 2026-27 campaign, Toronto may have to pay significantly more to keep him. If he struggles, meanwhile, his trade value could fall and the organization could find itself wishing it had acted earlier.

That is the gamble.

For a franchise with championship ambitions, leaving such an important roster decision unresolved is a dangerous strategy.

The Raptors’ front office had a valuable opportunity during the offseason to determine exactly what Barrett’s future should look like.

They didn’t take it.

Now, the season will provide the answer.

If Barrett explodes and becomes one of Toronto’s most important players, the Raptors may have to pay a premium to keep him.

If he decides his future lies elsewhere, Toronto could lose him for nothing.

And if his relationship with the organization has been affected by the uncertainty, that could make the situation even harder to repair.

Toronto still has time to change the story.

But after choosing not to extend Barrett and not to trade him, the Raptors have placed themselves in a position where almost every possible outcome carries some level of risk.

The decision to wait may ultimately prove harmless.

Or it could become one of the biggest regrets of the Raptors’ offseason.