New York Knicks: Duke basketball’s trio of stars worth an early look

RJ Barrett

Position: SG/SF
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 202 pounds
Wingspan: 6-foot-9

RJ Barrett, as of the preseason, has moved into the No. 1 spot on mock drafts, including on NBADraft.net. He’s the latest swingman of this class, but potentially the best of them.

With no elite skill, the Canadian freshman does almost everything well. Whether it’s passing, moving with the ball or without it or attacking the hoop, his offensive profile already looks polished enough for the NBA to contribute and fill the stat sheet.

At Barrett’s height, wingspan and quality athleticism, there’s even defensive potential. Maybe not elite at this end, but enough to hold his own.

Problems lie within the Monteverde Academy product’s lack of a consistent outside game. It might not matter in college, but potentially become an issue once a pro staff makes him stretch his range. He only shot 58.2 percent on free throws, as well, as NBA Draft noted.

Barrett had two games of at least three made shots from behind the arc in the preseason, but against Canadian college teams that don’t offer the talent level of ACC schools or the season-opening game matchup versus Kentucky.

Unlike Reddish, on the New York Knicks, Barrett fits in as a shooting guard or forward next to Tim Hardaway Jr. It’s not the primary need, but if he’s there wherever they are in the lottery, it’s still a difficult player to pass up.