Helena Frye
Will Barton is a former professional basketball player who played for four different NBA teams during his 11-year career. Barton was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012, where he earned the nickname the people's champ. He then went on to play for the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, and the Toronto Raptors. Barton's strong performance during the Nuggets' 2015-2016 season positioned him as a contender for the Sixth Man of the Year award. In 2025, Barton signed with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association, but his contract was terminated shortly after. He then signed with the Atléticos de San Germán for the 2025 season before announcing his retirement from basketball in April of the same year.
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What You'll Learn
Will Barton's career in the NBA
Will Barton is a professional basketball player who recently announced his retirement from the sport in April 2025, bringing an end to his 11-season career in the NBA.
Barton was selected 40th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA Draft. He played for four different NBA teams throughout his career, spending the majority of his time with the Denver Nuggets from 2015 to 2022. During his time with the Nuggets, Barton served as a crucial role player, working alongside a talented supporting cast, including Nikola Jokic, Malik Beasley, and Gary Harris. In the 2022 NBA Playoffs, he stood out as Denver's second most valuable player in their first-round matchup against the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors.
Barton's strong performances with the Nuggets earned him recognition as a possible contender for the 2015-2016 Sixth Man of the Year award. Over the course of the Nuggets' 2015-2016 season, Barton averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in just 29.0 minutes per game off the bench. He continued to impress, scoring a career-high 32 points against the New Orleans Pelicans in December 2016.
After his time with the Nuggets, Barton had a brief stint with the Washington Wizards before being traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he served as a veteran presence for the team. However, his time with the Raptors was short-lived, and he appeared in only 16 games, starting just twice. Following his departure from the NBA, Barton signed with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association in September 2024, but his contract was terminated in November. He then signed with the Atléticos de San Germán of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) for the 2025 season.
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Denver Nuggets stint
Will Barton's stint with the Denver Nuggets began in 2015 and ended in 2022. On February 19, 2015, Barton was traded to the Denver Nuggets and re-signed with the team on August 7, 2015. On November 13, 2015, he scored a then career-high 26 points in a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets. He surpassed this record on December 20, scoring 32 points against the New Orleans Pelicans. Barton's impressive performances continued throughout the season, earning him recognition as a possible contender for the 2015-16 Sixth Man of the Year award.
However, the 2016-17 season saw Barton struggle with injuries, playing only six of the Nuggets' first 18 games. He sprained his left ankle twice and also missed games for personal reasons. Despite these setbacks, he had notable performances, including scoring 26 points and eight assists against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 17, 2017, and a season-high 31 points against the Dallas Mavericks on February 6, 2017.
Barton re-signed with the Nuggets on July 9, 2018. Unfortunately, he faced another injury setback early in the season, this time to his right hip, causing him to miss 38 games. He returned to action on January 12, 2019, against the Phoenix Suns. On March 4, 2022, Barton made history with the Nuggets, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in made three-pointers. During the 2022 NBA Playoffs, he was Denver's standout second-most critical player in their first-round matchup against the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors.
Barton's time with the Denver Nuggets came to an end in 2022 when he was traded to the Washington Wizards.
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Toronto Raptors tenure
Will Barton is an American professional basketball player who signed with the Toronto Raptors on February 28, 2023. Prior to joining the Raptors, Barton had played for several other teams in the NBA and overseas.
Barton's tenure with the Raptors got off to a slow start due to a left ankle sprain that caused him to miss several games. He made his first appearance for the team on March 15, 2023, against the Indiana Pacers. Barton started the game and played 27 minutes, scoring 15 points and grabbing six rebounds. However, his production declined in subsequent games, and he averaged just 2.4 points and 1.2 rebounds in his next ten appearances.
Despite his initial struggles, Barton showed glimpses of his potential throughout the season. On April 5, 2023, he scored 20 points (including 6 three-pointers) and added one rebound, two assists, and one steal in just 20 minutes of play during a 120-100 win over the Hornets. This performance marked his third-highest scoring total of the season and a return to form after a three-game absence due to injury.
Barton's tenure with the Raptors was short-lived, as he signed with CSKA Moscow of the VTB United League on January 29, 2024, less than a year after joining the Raptors.
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Guangdong Southern Tigers contract
Will Barton is an NBA veteran who, on September 6, 2024, signed with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association. Barton joined the Guangdong Southern Tigers with another NBA veteran, Darius Bazley. Barton had an impressive career in the NBA before his move to China. He made 679 regular-season appearances for Portland, Denver, Washington, and Toronto from 2012 to 2023. On February 26, 2014, Barton recorded a season-high 20 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in a 124–80 win over the Brooklyn Nets. He also had a successful spell with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in 29 games during the 2015-16 season.
Barton's contract with the Guangdong Southern Tigers was terminated on November 5, 2024, and he subsequently signed with the Atléticos de San Germán of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) for the 2025 season. On April 24, 2025, Barton announced his retirement from basketball.
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Retirement announcement
After an illustrious 11-year career in the NBA, Will Barton has decided to hang up his jersey and retire from professional basketball. Affectionately known as "the people's champ" by fans, Barton leaves behind a legacy of dedication, talent, and impact that will forever be cherished by those who followed his journey.
Barton, who most recently played for the Toronto Raptors, announced his retirement on April 24, 2025, bringing an end to a career that began with the Portland Trail Blazers back in 2012. Taken 40th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, Barton quickly made a name for himself in the league, showcasing his skills and work ethic. Over the course of his career, he played for four different NBA teams, including the Denver Nuggets, where he had his most memorable stint.
From 2015 to 2022, Barton was an integral part of the Nuggets' success. He averaged impressive numbers, including 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals during the 2015-16 season. His strong performances earned him recognition as a possible contender for the 2015-16 Sixth Man of the Year award. Barton's impact extended beyond the stats sheets, as he played a crucial role in the Nuggets' deep playoff runs, most notably in their first-round matchup against the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors, in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
Despite battling injuries and ankle issues throughout his career, Barton always found a way to bounce back and contribute to his team's success. His resilience and determination were on full display during his time with the Nuggets, as he consistently stepped up when his team needed him the most. In addition to his success on the court, Barton was also known for his positive influence in the locker room, serving as a mentor and leader to his teammates.
As Barton embarks on his next chapter, the basketball world will forever remember his impact on the game. His journey from the 40th overall pick to a key contributor on multiple NBA teams serves as an inspiration to athletes everywhere. While his presence on the court will be missed, his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate the next generation of basketball players.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Barton has played for four NBA teams: the Portland Trail Blazers, the Denver Nuggets, the Washington Wizards, and the Toronto Raptors.
Will Barton was a crucial role player in the Denver Nuggets. During the 2022 NBA Playoffs, he was arguably the team's second most important player in their first-round matchup against the Golden State Warriors.
Will Barton averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in 29 games for the Nuggets in the 2015-16 season. He was also recognised as a possible contender for the 2015-16 Sixth Man of the Year award.
No, Will Barton retired from basketball in April 2025. After his retirement from the NBA, he signed with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association but his contract was terminated in November 2024. He then signed with the Atléticos de San Germán of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) for the 2025 season.
