Considering just how poorly the 2021-22 campaign went for the New York Knicks, one can almost guarantee that the front office will be looking to make significant changes during the upcoming offseason, specifically when it comes to the team’s talent pool found within the rotation.
After experiencing quite a great deal of success last year, Leon Rose and Co. looked to capitalize during the summer of 2021 by trying to bolster the supporting cast around the likes of franchise building blocks Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.
In the end, sadly their efforts wound up being all for naught, as the once-promising season came crumbling down hard upon the Knickerbockers, seeing just 36 wins in total (with the potential to hit 37), making it the team’s eighth losing season in nine years and their 16th playoff-less season since the turn of the century.
Now, with the offseason inching closer and closer, New York’s decision-makers are heading back to the drawing board when it comes to brainstorming ideas for how they can better position this team for success moving forward.
In recent weeks, many different schemes and concepts have been broached, be it by fans, media pundits, and, even, from within the organization (per reports) that are perceived as potentially beneficial moves worth considering.
Of course, arguably the most notable buzz pertaining to the organization is the rumor that their former All-Star big man, Randle, is interested in moving on via trade this summer which, to a majority of the fan base, could be a shakeup welcomed with open arms.
However, while the 27-year-old is a player many assume the Knicks may look to part ways with this summer, recently the folks at Bleacher Report brought up the notion that the franchise could also actually consider dealing away their 21-year-old rising star, Barrett.
Should the New York Knicks be open to an RJ Barrett trade?
In a piece discussing youngsters across the NBA that could be traded for an established star this coming summer, writer Zach Buckley mentioned the former third overall pick as someone to keep an eye on:
"“He debuted with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, and he has shown that same effortless bucket-getting several times over. He’s cleared 30 points 11 times just this season, including the career-best 46 he dropped on the Miami Heat and their fourth-ranked defense. If you wanted to argue New York’s best path to a star was waiting out the rest of Barrett’s development, your argument wouldn’t be light on logic.”“Then again, there’s no telling when—or, honestly, if—Barrett will uncover the key to consistent stardom. If the Knicks want a surefire star sooner than later, they’ll have to pool together their best assets and trade for one. Barrett, the most coveted part of that collection, must be sacrificed to seal the deal.”"
Frankly, the thought of seeing this team trade away their third-year wing during the upcoming offseason screams “the New York Knicks of old.”
In his 70 games this season, Barrett managed to put up career-highs in numerous areas, boasting averages of 20 points, 5.8 rebounds, and three assists per game.
After the All-Star break, the young stud found himself fully leading the charge for his squad in a vast majority of areas, as he put up impressive averages of 24.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
Here we find a promising player in tow who, mind you, is still on his rookie deal and is coming off of a career year, and people are discussing the idea of trading him? I ask: for what, exactly?
To bring on that highly coveted franchise point guard in, say, Damian Lillard, to team up with the disgruntled Randle, only to then find out the hard way that having a post-30 maxed out floor general coming off of an injury-plagued season isn’t all that luxurious, and that their star power forward simply can’t coexist with another ball-dominant player in the lineup? Ew.
Now, in response to that last bit about how Randle can’t play up to his star status when running alongside another primary ball-handler, I’m sure many of you are pushing those proverbial glasses back closer to the bridge of your nose thinking, “Well, actually, during the second half of the season, Julius did wind up putting up big numbers while ceding significant touches to RJ.”
My friends, what did these numbers end up accomplishing for New York? A 15-24 record during this stretch and several multi-game losing streaks? Once again, ew.
Listen, folks, there’s no denying the fact that this team is bad, as they possess a plethora of problems.
Trading for a high-priced star certainly won’t bring about any sure-fire, long-term answers, and coughing up their first high-potential prospect in what seems like an eternity (along with a bevy of salary matching contracts and some draft capital, just to make the numbers work and fully pique the interest of other teams) makes such a move even more nauseating to think about.
Now look, we’re not being delusional here–it’s not like we believe that people should be looking at Barrett as someone who will turn out to be a top-3 player in the league within the next five years.
That said, at his specific age coupled with his two-way potential and continued improvements since entering the league just three years ago, the Knicks would be unbelievably foolish to let someone like him go this offseason.
This summer, the goal for New York’s front office should be to build toward a long and bright future with Barrett as the building block, not to try and mend their relationship with Randle.
And, in turn, use the 21-year-old as trade bait to bring on an established star to the rotation in an effort to make a run at glory (**I got queazy just typing this hypothetical logic**).
Unfortunately, however, knowing the Knicks’ truly atrocious track record over the past two decades, a move such as this can never be ruled out.
RJ Barrett’s comments prove he’s meant to be a Knick for life
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