Four more years! Well, technically five since RJ Barrett’s four-year, $120 million extension kicks in at the start of the 2023-24 season. Nearly two weeks ago, New York made the Barrett extension official. With the Donovan Mitchell saga being in the rearview mirror, the Knicks are moving forward under the leadership of Barrett.
This is something that Knicks fans should be excited about, although there are always going to be some who disagree. The front office made the right decision in extending the 22-year-old, although it’s a move that the front office needs to get on the same page about.
On Monday evening, New York hosted ‘An Evening with RJ Barrett’ alongside MSG Network at Madison Square Garden. In an event for season ticket holders, Monica McNutt asked Barrett questions about his journey with the Knicks thus far as well as his hopes for the future.
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) September 12, 2022
RJ Barrett speaks publicly for the first time about his Knicks extension
With Leon Rose, Scott Perry, William Wesley, and Tom Thibodeau all in the front row, Barrett went into detail about what it means for him to be a member of the Knicks.
RJ Barrett on what it means to be a New York Knick:
— Daily Knicks (@DailyKnicksFS) September 12, 2022
"It means a lot. I love New York. My mom grew up in New York so this is kind of like home to me. Everything about the Knicks, from the fans to playing in The Garden, has been amazing."
He also revealed what his pregame routine looks like, and he even included what he eats during team meetings leading up to tip-off.
RJ Barrett eats "two PB&Js" during team meetings before games. A true king 👑
— Daily Knicks (@DailyKnicksFS) September 12, 2022
While it was great to hear what RJ had to say about what being in New York means to him, it was extra entertaining to learn what his favorite memory in the Garden is as he prepares to enter his fourth season in the league.
RJ Barrett on his favorite MSG memory:
— Daily Knicks (@DailyKnicksFS) September 12, 2022
"When I dunked on Bogdanovic in the playoffs."
LOL
Ah, what a moment that was. There’s nothing that can compare to playing in MSG, but there’s something extra special about the energy in The Garden during the playoffs.
Shortly after the 2021-22 season came to an end, Barrett said that he wants to help get the Knicks back to the playoffs in 2022-23. The Eastern Conference is stacked, but if New York can manage to make it to the play-in tournament, and then to the playoffs, fans may get to experience that feeling in MSG once again.
With RJ Barrett locked in as a key part of the future, things are continuing to look up in New York. It’s a process, but perhaps sooner rather than later, fans will get to see RJ throw down another postseason dunk in the world’s most famous arena.

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