Knicks’ matchup against Hawks is a glimpse into the future with RJ Barrett

If RJ Barrett and the New York Knicks lose to Trae Young and the Hawks on Tuesday night, their hopes of making it to the play-in tournament will officially be diminished. It seems fitting that the game’s against Atlanta, right?

New York’s without its leading scorer in Julius Randle. He’s sitting out for only the third game this season with a sore right quad. In Sunday’s loss to the Jazz, he had one of his worst performances of the year on the offensive end, shooting 6-of-21 from the field and 1-of-6 from the 3-point line.

In a “do or die” game, the reins have been passed to 21-year-old Barrett. And he’s delivered thus far in the first half by setting up the offense, finding open looks, and attacking the rim.

Barrett leads the Knicks at the half with 17 points (6-of-12), seven rebounds, and three assists in 20 minutes.

RJ Barrett continues to prove that the New York Knicks should build around him.

Now, this isn’t a knock against Randle, who signed a four-year, $117 million deal with the Knicks before the start of the 2021-22 season. After the way that he played last year, the 27-year-old deserved it.

Randle’s inconsistency has been an issue this season, though, and so much so that his name has floated around in trade rumors.

If New York does trade him in a deal to land a point guard this summer, that wouldn’t be an awful move for the Knicks. That is as long as Barrett’s name isn’t included in the trade because since the start of 2022, Barrett’s averaging 23.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. His confidence has blossomed.

I know that Randle’s received a lot of flack and while he’s helped to make New York relevant again, it’s time for Barrett to take over. The way that the Knicks have looked against the Hawks with Barrett in charge leading the surge has been extremely promising.

In fact, Barrett obviously isn’t the point guard that New York’s been searching for, but the way that he moved the ball around in the first half to find open looks for his teammates was a highlight, especially when it ended with an Obi Toppin slam.

Regardless of what happens during the offseason (whether Randle stays or goes), the main focus for the front office needs to be building a winning culture around Barrett.

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