3 Knicks that earned untouchable status in 2022-23, 4 that should be cut loose

New York Knicks that earned untouchable status: RJ Barrett

Despite his struggles from the three-point line this season, it’s hard to say that RJ Barrett didn’t take a step forward in his development. One of the biggest reasons why was his production during the postseason. After a concerning first couple of games against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, Barrett truly bounced back during the team’s remaining run.

He quickly became one of the key parts of the Knicks’ success in the playoffs. Aside from Jalen Brunson, Barrett emerged as the second-most consistent player for New York in the postseason. During just his second playoff run with the team, Barrett averaged 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 43% shooting from the field.

At just 22 years old, it’s easy to see how Barrett is emerging as a key foundational piece for the Knicks. Even though there are still areas of his game that need fine-tuning, he has made strides over the last couple of seasons and has proven that the playoff spotlight is not too bright for him. I’m not sure you can say that about every player on this roster.