NY Knicks: Why RJ Barrett should be the 2nd scoring option

The NY Knicks are NOT Title Contenders

No matter how much we wish Julius takes another leap to superstar level and Kemba being in New York can turn back the clock, the Knicks are not an NBA Finals contender.

The best realistic case scenario is Julius continues to improve as RJ breaks out and the team meshes well enough to go on a miraculous Eatern Conference Finals run.

The Eastern Conference has improved since last season, though, and fighting for home court in the first round will be very difficult to achieve.

If the Knicks core was over 28 years old then it would be worrisome that there is zero chance they contend for the finals this season.  However, that is not the case.

With the exception of Taj Gibson (36), Derrick Rose (32), Kemba Walker (31), and Alec Burks (30), the Knicks have an incredibly young core.

This team is built for the next generation, with Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Mitchell Robinson, Obi Toppin, and Quinten Grimes all being under 24 years old.  Randle just had a breakout season at 26 years old, so it is not like he’s carrying a young team as the lone old veteran when he in reality, is still young by NBA standards.

The Knicks’ young players still need development, Barrett included. I’ve mentioned probably hundreds of times that, if anything, I want Barrett’s role in expanding, including making him one of the first guys to look out when closing out games.

It would be reasonable to give Kemba Walker and possibly Fournier more touches if the Knicks were contending for the finals this year, but they’re not. There’s no reason to take touches from Barrett next year. Barrett will be better off if he learns how to be a top option on a solid NBA team as early as possible.