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NY Knicks: Projecting the roster with Chris Paul and Fred VanVleet

By Jeffrey Bellone

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers is guarded by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during a preseason game at Staples Center on October 5, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers is guarded by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during a preseason game at Staples Center on October 5, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action against Dennis Schroder #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 126-103. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Knicks Starting Small Forward: RJ Barrett

Adding both Paul and VanVleet to the roster would most impact RJ Barrett’s position in the lineup. Last season, he played shooting guard 72% of the time he was on the court, mainly because Marcus Morris was slotted into the three spot next to Julius Randle and Taj Gibson or Mitchell Robinson upfront.

The Knicks struggled with Barrett at the two-guard, with a negative 7.9 points per possession in those lineups; however, when he was matched up against small forwards, they were even worse with a negative 14.6 point differential.

By adding Paul and VanVleet in the backcourt, Barrett can find more of his offense in the rhythm of the game, either in transition or spot-up opportunities. That doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be used in pick-and-roll situations – where he found 27.7 percent of his offense last season – it just pivots the match-ups the Knicks can exploit, perhaps finding more advantages with Barrett attacking the rim against slower wings instead of guards.

Barrett finished 8th in Rookie of the Year voting and missed both NBA All-Rookie teams. He has plenty of motivation to prove that he was overlooked during his first season in the league. Perhaps a new position next to capable playmakers will see him take a positive step toward becoming a productive player.

With two capable play-makers who can shoot from deep, there would be more spacing and opportunities for open looks for Barrett, who played in one of the least-spaced lineups in the league last year. When defended very tightly (closest defender within 0-2 feet), RJ shot just 32.6 percent from the field during his rookie campaign, a number that drastically improved, as logic would suggest, when he was wide open (4-6 feet) at 41.8 percent.

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