3 most underrated players on the Knicks’ current roster

In 2020-21, the New York Knicks made the playoffs for the first time in eight years, but they followed that up with a 2021-22 season that wasn’t enough to result in a spot in the play-in tournament. But after a promising offseason that could still include a major trade, New York appears to be back on the right track.

But as Knicks fans, you know that the team that you love is often looked down upon, and a lot of it has been warranted. However, New York’s entering new territory with its first true point guard in two decades, but the disrespect hasn’t quieted down just yet. It’s up to the Knicks to do that on the court this season.

The Eastern Conference is stacked, but you could say that New York’s underrated. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Knicks received a playoff berth, although media outlets such as ESPN predict that the team will finish with two more wins than the 2021-22 season.

Along with the team as a whole, there are a few players on the roster in particular that are underrated. That narrative could quickly change as the season wears on, though, and let’s hope that it does. Let’s dive right into the three most underrated players in New York.

Here are the 3 most underrated players on the New York Knicks

3: Immanuel Quickley

As a Knicks fan, you likely don’t need to be reminded that Immanuel Quickley is good at basketball, but there are people out there that need that reminder. The 23-year-old is entering his third year in the league and should’ve spent more time on the court last season after Derrick Rose was injured and Kemba Walker was sidelined, but Tom Thibodeau opted for Alec Burks instead.

In the final 10 games of the regular season, Quickley averaged 17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists while shooting 41.8% from the floor in 29.5 minutes. He posted two triple-doubles in this span, and his 20 point, 10 rebound, and 10 assist performance in a 118-88 win over the Orlando Magic made history.

The Jalen Brunson free agency signing and the Donovan Mitchell trade buzz this summer has overshadowed Quickley, but the guard’s been busy this offseason. There’s a possibility that Quickley could be on his way to the Utah Jazz, but if that doesn’t happen, he should receive an increase in minutes off the bench.

Immanuel Quickley is poised to have a big season with the Knicks in 2022-23

Don’t be surprised if he makes a big leap in year three. Knicks fans already know his worth, but Quickley will likely start to catch the attention of other fans around the league this season. If a trade doesn’t happen, he should step right into the role of New York’s sixth man.

2. Jalen Brunson

Leon Rose and the Knicks accomplished their mission of luring Jalen Brunson away from the Dallas Mavericks this summer to sign him in free agency. The 25-year-old signed a four-year, $104 million contract, which has led to the debate of if he was overpaid or not. There seems to be a consensus that he was overpaid, but that point doesn’t hold much weight.

Brunson spent his first four years in the league under Luka Doncic’s shadow, but he’s coming off his best season yet. He averaged 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting 50.2% from the field and 37.3% from the three-point line this past season for the Mavericks. And in the three games that Doncic didn’t play in during the first round of the playoffs against the Jazz, Brunson shined.

Jalen Brunson will have the opportunity to help lead the Knicks back to the playoffs

There have been comments made about how New York paid “that much money” to a player that hasn’t been named an All-Star. However, given how he’s improved each season and his age, Brunson could end up earning every penny of his contract. He’s set to be the 14th-highest paid point guard in the league in 2022-23, but you’d think that he was making more than Steph Curry based on what’s been said.

The best thing about Brunson is that he keeps his head down and goes to work, which is how he went from making $1.8 million in 2021-22 to $27.7 million in 2022-23.

Brunson’s from New Jersey and grew up around the Knicks, so he’ll have a prime opportunity to silence his doubters as he embarks on the next step of his career in New York.

1: RJ Barrett

At this point, RJ Barrett should be immune to the disrespect that’s thrown his way. Knicks fans recognize his value, but many others don’t.

The 22-year-old’s coming off his first 20 point per game season, and as soon as the calendar turned over to 2022, Barrett went into high gear. During the second half of the season, he averaged 23.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.

He’s expected to step into a larger role this coming season, especially given how Julius Randle performed in 2021-22. This time last year, all eyes were on Randle, but that attention has now shifted to Barrett. It might seem like there’s a lot of pressure on Barrett’s shoulders, but he doesn’t view it that way.

RJ Barrett has what it takes to be the face of the Knicks’ franchise

Shortly after the Knicks’ 2021-22 season ended, Barrett appeared on JJ Redick’s podcast and said that his goal for the team is to make it back to the playoffs. And as for his personal goal, he said that he believes that he can be an All-Star in 2022-23.

The addition of Jalen Brunson will help to elevate Barrett’s game, as would the addition of Donovan Mitchell. For the first time in what feels like a long time, Knicks fans have a lot to look forward to.

Barrett’s game isn’t without its flaws, but he deserves more respect than he’s been given, and you should expect for him to command that respect on the court this season.

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