NY Knicks: Does RJ Barrett deserve a maximum rookie extension?
By James Ryder
Why shouldn’t RJ Barrett get a max rookie extension?
Thankfully, this discussion isn’t being pedaled by the trolls and clowns who wouldn’t consider Barrett a rising star. Or the ones who’d go out of their way to site the fringiest of advanced stats to convince you that he isn’t “top 25 under 25.” In fact, this is a conversation that I can respect being had.
Most people who think Barrett shouldn’t get the max at least acknowledge he’s worthy of a payday. They see the value that he has as an ascending player, and I agree that if Barrett was willing to take less than the max, there’s no reason why New York shouldn’t jump at such a financially flexible opportunity.
One comparison I’ve seen is that the organization should pay Barrett like he’s Jaylen Brown. The Boston guard’s an All-Star caliber player, but one who isn’t guaranteed to be thought of as the face of a franchise, or at least one that contends anyway.
However, some people have gone even further, suggesting that Barrett isn’t worth the praise he’s garnered.
A select few are skeptical of Barrett’s potential. I will admit, for all of the amazing performances and stellar strives he’s made in his game during his Knicks tenure, there have been many significant road bumps.
Some examples of why fans aren’t sold on him as a star player is his inconsistency as a shooter at all three levels, his lack of experience as a lead option, and the fact that there are a bevy of NBA players who’ve been more successful in his age group and draft class.
He’s only 21, but that hasn’t prevented viewers from tempering expectations. It also doesn’t help that New York’s front office has gotten a bit burned by recent contracts.
Julius Randle’s fall from grace and Evan Fournier’s offensive unsteadiness have put Leon Rose and company in a situation you don’t want to be in as a franchise; they’re overpaying players who are supposed to be sturdy contributors with an impact on winning, who instead often do the opposite.
Fans don’t want Barrett to get a ton of green too soon in case the inconsistent version of himself proves to be the “true” him.
These are all very rational concerns. However, I believe that Barrett has indeed proven that he should be getting the maximum rookie extension from the Knicks.