Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett admitted he initially felt some “saltiness” watching his former team, the New York Knicks, capture the 2026 NBA championship. Those feelings did not last long.

During an interview with CBC's Donnovan Bennett last Thursday, Barrett reflected on the Knicks defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals this past June. Toronto's own season ended in the first round, making it difficult for Barrett to immediately celebrate another team's championship.

“At first definitely feel a little salty. A little bit in terms of, you know, we (the Raptors) lost. We lost in the first round, so that that hurt,” Barrett said. “If anybody else were to win it (besides the Raptors), I’m happy they won it. You know, I still have friends over there. I’ve called and checked on the guys, said congrats.”

Barrett spent the first four-plus seasons of his NBA career with the Knicks after New York selected the Toronto native with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Knicks traded Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Raptors during the 2023-24 season.

Despite leaving New York, Barrett's connections to the organization remain.

“One of the guys from the team (Trey Jemison) is actually on the Raptors now, so things are cool,” Barrett said. “The mayor (Zohran Mamdani) gave myself and (former Knick Immanuel Quickley) a shout-out. We’ll always have ties there. Like I said, I’m very happy for them, but just hoping to bring some of that success over here.”

RJ Barrett hopes Kawhi Leonard can help Raptors find similar success

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Barrett's desire to bring championship success back to Toronto comes as the Raptors prepare for another run with Kawhi Leonard.

Later in the same interview, Barrett discussed Toronto's blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to reacquire Leonard, who led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019.

“I’ve been a Raptors fan my whole life. I was getting ready for the draft when the Raptors won the championship. When (Leonard) made the game-winner against Philly, I was jumping up and down,” Barrett said. “So from being a fan to now being able to play with him, that’s going to be so special.”

Toronto officially completed the Leonard trade last week, sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and two second-round selections to Los Angeles.

Barrett can appreciate what his former team accomplished while keeping his focus on producing a similar result at home. The addition of Leonard now gives him an opportunity to pursue that goal alongside the player he watched deliver Toronto's last championship.