RJ Barrett is currently the most promising youngster on the NY Knicks, and he perfectly exemplifies the franchise’s ability to win now while also having hope for the future.
In the NBA world, these two methods of team-building are normally mutually exclusive, but Barrett and the Knicks have managed to find a balance between both.
At 20 years old, he averaged 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game on 44-40-75 shooting splits.
The only other players in the league to surpass those counting numbers while shooting at least 40% from three are Paul George, Khris Middleton, Nikola Vucevic, and fellow Knick Julius Randle. (minimum 50 games played)
Which potential NY Knicks draft pick fits alongside RJ Barrett best?
The Knicks are poised to build around their young rising star in this week’s NBA Draft, owning the 19th and 21st pick.
They also hold the 32nd selection, giving them the flexibility to use their picks or combine them and trade up into the late lottery range.
With eight players hitting free agency, Team President Leon Rose and the rest of the Knicks front office will look to replace some of the departing contributors with promising young talent.
Barrett is a pretty easy player to compliment as he took strides this past season in becoming an adept shooter, passer, and defender.
There are still some prospects expected to go in the 15-32 range that can help further enhance his game, though.
Here are 4 NBA Draft selections that would immediately benefit Barrett and become another part of the team’s growing young core.