Knicks' RJ Barrett Among NBA's Most 'Overrated'
The New York Knicks are building their team around a couple of players, including RJ Barrett, the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Barrett, 23, is the highest draft pick currently on the roster and he has one of the highest ceilings.
However, he has yet to fulfill his true potential during his first four NBA seasons, leading Bleacher Report to label him as the second-most overrated player in the league over the past five seasons.
"Without free throws, Barrett has scored 3,958 points on 4,157 shot attempts, or 503.4 fewer than a league-average shooter would have. The only player further below zero during his career is Russell Westbrook, who is obviously doing a lot more as a passer and rebounder than Barrett," BR's Andy Bailey writes. "Regarding that plus-minus impact, the Knicks are minus-1.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor over his four seasons, compared to plus-3.9 without him.
Only Houston Rockets wing Dillon Brooks was named more "overrated" than Barrett.
Despite not living up to the high expectations he came into the league with, Barrett still earned a four-year, $107 million extension, which goes into effect next season, and was kept out of high-profile trades such as the ultimately futile Donovan Mitchell negotiations.
Barrett still has a ton of potential that he has yet to reach. He may not be the Knicks' best player, relinquishing that title to Jalen Brunson or Julius Randle, but he can still be a key piece to New York's success in the coming years if he continues to improve.
The Duke alum will get a chance to prove his worth at the upcoming FIBA World Cup, where he'll represent Team Canada.
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