NY Knicks: NY was right to shut down Atlanta Hawks offer for RJ Barrett

As a diehard NY Knicks fan, I wouldn’t want to imagine what life would be like today if RJ Barrett wasn’t on my favorite team.

But as per a recent article by Marc Berman of the NY Post, RJ almost became a Hawk on draft night.

The Hawks had the 8th and 10th picks in the 2019 NBA Draft and were looking to move up into the top-5.

Berman said:

"Some members of the basketball operations staff thought that could be the route to take: They were unconvinced about Barrett’s athleticism and 3-point shooting and concerned by his inability to use his weak right hand on rumbles to the basket.“A shooting guard who can’t shoot,’’ one skeptical scout from another organization pondered before that draft."

Thankfully, GM Scott Perry stuck to his guns and didn’t bite on Atlanta’s offer.

Where RJ may lack in raw athleticism, he makes up for in brute strength.

Could you imagine a world where RJ Barrett wasn’t on the NY Knicks?

Even after a rough start shooting-wise during this current season where he missed 21 straight 3-point attempts, he’s still shooting nearly 40% from deep.

RJ has turned himself into a legitimate deep-range threat right before our eyes.

Probably the most incredible aspect of RJ’s game as a whole is his mental fortitude.

The kid barely ever gets in his own head.

Berman also went on to say:

"Still, Barrett’s ability to shake off a bad play or a bad half is part of his budding greatness. Even during his dispiriting rookie year, scouts said the kid at least didn’t lack confidence."

After completely being left out of the Rookie of the Year conversation and all of the All-Rookie teams, RJ has used this as fuel for his internal flame, and now there’s a legitimate argument as to whether or not he’s better and has the higher ceiling between him and Ja Morant.

I can happily say that we fans have a future All-Star caliber player on our hands and will hopefully get to cheer RJ Barrett on for the next decade and beyond.

The kid is a diligent, hard-working, budding superstar and we’d all be absolutely livid today had the Knicks made the deal with Atlanta on draft night.

When the Knicks win their next NBA Title, I’d be shocked if RJ Barrett doesn’t play a huge role in that happening.