Knicks’ RJ Barrett will take next step with or without Donovan Mitchell next season

RJ Barrett’s role if the Knicks do not trade for Donovan Mitchell

As progress remains null to the outside world surrounding the inner workings of the deal between New York and Utah, rumors of other teams entering the fold have begun to arise.

Although a major argument for the Knicks’ asset package is that it’s the greatest yield that exists, teams like the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors can rival in young assets and draft stock.

There is no certainty that New York is the premiere destination in this deal, and the current roster may be the one the franchise rolls out this fall.

The Knicks have had a really good offseason so far, regardless, and have established the framework to compete for a low-level playoff spot. Without Mitchell, Barrett will be the centerpiece of this framework and he should demand the spotlight this season.

Julius Randle’s struggles have propelled RJ Barrett into a larger role

Julius Randle’s tenure in New York has been an absolute roller coaster, ascending from the most hated player to the city’s greatest hero, and back down to the depths of being a villain. A problem with Randle’s game, similarly, has been a true lack of identity.

Randle essentially occupies a positionless role for the Knicks, being the team’s primary ball handler at times, their best wing shooter at other times, and everything in between the lines.

It’s caused him to be overwhelmed in the offense, often being cited for doing “too much” and having a “head down” mentality when he gets lost in his tunnel vision.

Until this year, he hasn’t had significant, consistent help with his duties, as the team had yet to truly develop at any other position.

The losses of Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose last year all but ensured Randle would struggle, as he became too much of a focal point for the offense, and he collapsed.

The crazier aspect of this “collapse” is Randle did not struggle statistically, averaging 20.1 points and 9.9 rebounds a game, essentially a double-double. It was his demeanor on the court that disturbed the core of the fanbase.

Julius Randle has to find a new role first with the Knicks

Before coming to New York, Randle spent a lone season in New Orleans playing third wheel to Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday. It was this comeback season that rebuilt his stock and landed him the keys to the Knicks’ rebuild, and he’s now entering his fourth season with the team.

This is the role New York needs to get Randle back to this upcoming season. With the addition of Jalen Brunson into the fold, he should slide into the Knicks’ No. 2 option position, such as Holiday did for the Pelicans.

Someone is going to have to adjust in the Randle/Barrett/Brunson offense, as all three players dominate with the ball in their hands, getting to the rim, and playing physical basketball in the painted area.

Randle was a monster off-the-ball threat in New Orleans, using his size, athleticism, and scoring ability to create open looks for himself by utilizing screens and taking advantage of help defense situations where his defender was pulled.

He has grown accustomed to being New York’s priority playmaker, which is what lead to so many mismanaged offensive drives and a poor shot selection. He is victim to too many bad threes and fadeaway attempts because he is forcing his own looks instead of flowing and exploiting holes.

His season with the Pelicans is statistically comparable to all his years in New York, but the play style he displayed was extremely different. That is the style that this Knicks team could dominate with.

RJ Barrett needs to dominate the pick-and-roll with the Knicks

With Randle now hanging out around the wing and block, New York has a lot more spacing options to play around with. Barrett is an explosive wing talent who is not scared of attacking the basket and earning hard takes and free throws.

Statistically, though, he struggles to convert those attempts into consistent points.

"According to Synergy Sports, 64 players conducted at least 500 pick-and-rolls last season. Barrett’s 0.847 points per possession was second worst among them. (Only Thunder rookie Josh Giddey was less effective.) Barrett’s assist rate (14.9) was below Malik Monk and Wendell Carter Jr., just barely above Jordan Clarkson."

Furthermore, Barrett only averages 2.9 career assists per game in general, and for a player with an underwhelming three-point ability, the Knicks would benefit a lot from him getting the ball to others more often.

As it stands, with Fournier and Brunson both out on the arch and Randle and Robinson acting as off-the-ball threats, the ball should go through the middle man, who will be Barrett. With Barrett as the primary ball handler, he will have the ability to facilitate pick and roll and pick and pop opportunities all day long.

The main thing Barrett needs to progress in next season with the current roster is his playmaking ability, as that will contribute the most to the team’s success and will make him an all-around better player.

The more of a threat he is to pass the ball to a leaching Randle or a wide-open Brunson for consistent wide-open threes, the less that teams will double him in the paint. This is where his big stature and strength will allow him to convert more at the rim, which is definitely his offensive strong suit.