NY Knicks: 3 Goals for RJ Barrett for the 2021-22 Season

NY Knicks — Goal #2: RJ Barrett averages 20+ PPG

Ok, so we’re taking a step forward here with a goal a little more difficult to achieve.

I would honestly expect Barrett to somewhat easily pass the 20 point per game mark if the Knicks starting 5 still included Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock. However, with Barrett now sharing the court with newcomers Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker, it could be a little more difficult.

Recently when discussing the vegas odds for Barrett to win the NBA Most Improved Player, DailyKnicks editor Adam Kester mentioned that there are more mouths to feed on offense this year than last, which is absolutely correct.

Kemba Walker is a score-first player, and though Tom Thibodeau likes pass-first point guards, Walker is just not that.  Fournier is also coming off of averaging 17 points per game.

Barrett will probably not see as many opportunities, though I do firmly believe he is a better player than both Walker and Fournier.  He will also probably see a weaker defense with the increase in offense talent on the roster.

Barrett can totally average 20 or more points per game, but he could see another season close to 18 points before he takes that next scoring jump.  However, he should go in as the second option for the Knicks, which will also be the only way he can achieve this next goal.