With the Knicks coming off their most successful season since 2012-13, fans are excited about what this team could bring to the table in 2023-24. This offseason, fans have seen Leon Rose and the front office make moves for the betterment of the team, so the Knicks could be in for a big season.
Not only could fans see New York reach new heights this season, but individual players could even have some of their best seasons yet. Overall, fans will have several reasons to watch the Knicks if these three bold predictions come to fruition.
3 bold predictions for the New York Knicks’ 2023-24 season
3. RJ Barrett will be named an All-Star
Some may call this take crazy, but in a perfect world, RJ Barrett should be on track to make his first-ever All-Star Game and prove all of his doubters wrong. Through his first four seasons, Barrett has consistently shown flashes of excellence but hasn’t been able to put it together at a sustainable rate.
However, with how good he has looked playing for Canada this summer, alongside the overall improvements he showcased in the playoffs, fans should be confident he’s as ready as ever to make the leap. Even if he doesn’t become an All-Star level player this season, Barrett will receive praise if he becomes a consistent third option behind Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
Last season, Barrett averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, shooting 43.4% from the field and 31.0% from deep. While Barrett improved significantly in the painted area, almost every other spot on the court saw a decrease in efficiency. However, when looking at clips of Barrett shooting this summer, his jump shot looks much cleaner than in previous years, which could cause these numbers to rise back up.
If this sticks during the NBA season, Barrett could be in for his most efficient season yet. He doesn’t have to develop the mid-range game fans have been waiting on, but if Barrett could become even an average three-point shooter, it would make a massive difference for New York’s offense.
With a new and improved jump shot, better spacing, and an offseason to work on his game, there are no more excuses for Barrett not to improve. He’s entering year five, and the Knicks can’t afford to waste more time on his progression.