The New York Knicks Have An RJ Barrett Dilemma
New York Knicks wing RJ Barrett has looked like the team's best offensive player on the team to start the season, averaging 22.6 points over his first seven appearances. While that is good news for the development of the fifth-year vet, it could create some uncomfortable questions for the front office to answer.
The Knicks are always linked to star players when they reportedly become available. They've already been linked to Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, and now, Zach LaVine this season alone.
RJ Barrett was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.
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In order for any of those players to find their way to New York, the Knicks will likely have to send out a pretty package in return, one that could possibly include Barrett, the third overall pick from the 2019 draft. At 23 and working through the first year of a $107 million contract extension, Barrett has the upside, salary, and now the results, to be the headlining piece of a blockbuster trade.
In the first four seasons of his career, Barrett averaged 18.1 points per game, nothing to scoff at by any means. However, he was also one of the least efficient scorers in the NBA with a true shooting percentage of 51.7.
This season hints at Barrett finally turning the corner. The most important part is that he is sporting a true shooting percentage of 62 percent which includes a 20-of-40 mark from three-point range
The Knicks are 5-2 when Barrett plays this season and 0-3 when he doesn't. As his name floats around in trade rumors, could he finally be turning the corner into an All-Star level player? Time will tell if that question is answered in New York or elsewhere.
Barrett and the Knicks (5-5) will resume a five-game road trip on Wednesday night in Atlanta (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
