New York Knicks: Projecting the 10-man rotation to open the season
Shooting Guards
RJ Barrett: Prediction – 27 minutes, 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4 assists, on 39% shooting and 31 percent on three-pointers
After drafting Barrett third overall, chances are he plays 25-plus minutes per game and, in a world where he receives that many, he’s going to shoot and if he shoots often as a rookie, it might not work out well.
Look, Barrett is as great a prospect as anyone in this draft and someone who deserved to land higher, but it’s unfair to expect him to do much damage his rookie year in efficient scoring. He still needs to become a more consistent shooter, and while he may not have the shooting ability yet, he has improved his outside game since high school. Not to mention, he should be an above-average rebounder and passer for his position as well during his rookie year.
If Barrett can somehow improve his 3 point shot to a league average shot his rookie year though, expect his efficiency to increase exponentially as his finishing ability does look to be at least above average with his combination of balance, strength, length, and touch. Not to mention he seems pretty adept at drawing fouls and making quick reads in the pick-and-roll for someone his age.
Allonzo Trier – Prediction: 22 minutes, 10.5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, on 45 percent shooting and 40 percent on three-pointers
What can’t be said about Trier? He came into the NBA with low expectations since he went undrafted, and much like Mitchell Robinson, he blew those expectations out of the water.
Trier, as a rookie, showed the ability to shoot, dribble well and play efficiently. He seems to be the perfect sixth man for today’s current era of basketball, and could easily win NBA Sixth Man of the Year one day, but it’s hard to see it happening this year.
While most basketball experts would say that Trier is on a fast track to being an elite sixth man in this league, there is also reason to believe that this team may be too deep for him to break out, and much like the problem Payton is facing, there is only one ball, and so many shots that can be taken within the game.
One day though, Trier will have the chance to play like Lou Williams for the Knicks if he keeps working hard, but until he plays for a winning team with few ball-dominate players, he will not have the crazy stats off the bench most think he is capable of. Well, at least for this year.