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Buy or Sell 4 Knicks trends after 3-4 start to the season

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks are 3-4 to start out the season, most recently blowing a 23-point lead against the Atlanta Hawks at MSG on Wednesday night. The Knicks are now entering a tough weekend where they’ll play the Sixers and Celtics in a back-to-back.

New York got three straight wins over Detroit, Orlando, and Charlotte after falling in overtime to Memphis on opening night. Since beating the Hornets in overtime, the Knicks have lost three straight games.

Here we are seven games into the season, and there have been several takeaways regarding New York’s play thus far, whether they be concerning or positive. Let’s take a deeper look at four of these trends in particular. Which ones are legitimate? And which ones should fans brush off?

Buy or Sell on 4 New York Knicks’ trends to start 2022-23

4: RJ Barrett isn’t worth his new contract

RJ Barrett signed a four-year, $120 million (with $107 million guaranteed) extension in September. Ironically, the Knicks made the extension official on the same day that Donovan Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After an offseason full of rumors, Barrett moved forward with New York as his team.

Barrett did well in the preseason, but to start the regular season, he hasn’t looked like the player that fans were hoping to see. He’s averaging 17.9 points and is shooting 40.7% from the field and 23.7% from three. In the Knicks’ first two games of the season, Barrett shot a combined 0-for-9 from deep. His three-point shot finally started falling against the Cavaliers, where he shot 3-for-4 from three.

Should the Knicks be concerned about RJ Barrett’s play to start the season?

His finishing at the rim has been an issue, as well as his efficiency. Those are two issues that have followed Barrett throughout his four-year career. As mentioned, it’s still early, and because it’s RJ, one can assume that he will turn things around. Things are different now than they were last year, though. Now that he has his money, New York needs him to step it up.

If you’re concerned about Barrett’s play, that’s fair. However, to go as far as to say that he isn’t worth $107 million when there are still 75 games left to play? Not only is that unfair, but it’s way too early to come to that conclusion. There’s still plenty of basketball left to be played.

Verdict: Sell

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