NY Knicks: 3 players NY could have drafted with Hawks 2019 picks

The NY Knicks could have lost out on RJ Barrett in exchange for a couple of middling first-round picks back in 2019.

In response to an earlier article of mine, I wanted to touch on a few of the prospects that could have been taken at either the 8th or 10th picks that Atlanta had allegedly offered to the Knicks.

Although pairing 2 of the names I’ll be mentioning in this piece sounds good and perhaps to some would sound better than having just RJ Barrett…if RJ has proved anything this season it’s that his ceiling is a lot higher than we all thought it would be during his rookie campaign.

Speaking of RJ’s rookie year, he averaged 14.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 5 rebounds per game on pretty abysmal shooting percentages.

He shot 40% from the field, 32% from long range, and had an effective field goal percentage of just 44% on the year.

Since then, he’s improved in literally every single one of those categories.

Would you rather 2 of these 3 players instead of RJ Barrett on the NY Knicks?

So far this season he’s averaging 17.6 points, 3 assists, and 5.8 rebounds.

RJ increased his field goal percentage to 45%, his 3-point shooting to nearly 40%, and his effective field goal percentage to up over 50%.

He has become one of the more dangerous 3-point shooters on the team and is maybe the best wing defender in the Knicks’ 10-man rotation.

He’s showing more and more his willingness to take criticism and continues to perfect his craft.

The changes he’s made from his rookie year to now are like night and day…and it’s all up from here.

That being said, I would so much rather have RJ Barrett on the Knicks than 2 of the 3 players I’ll be mentioning in this article.