New York Knicks: It’s up to RJ Barrett to save the Knicks

After missing out in free agency and losing out in the NBA Draft Lottery, the pressure is on RJ Barrett to save the New York Knicks

Most teams in the NBA would’ve been ecstatic to land the No. 3 overall pick and RJ Barrett in the 2019 NBA Draft. However, I’m not sure the New York Knicks could’ve said that a few weeks ago.

Now, though, after missing out on every big name in free agency, the Knicks must embrace Barrett. After watching their dream of drafting Zion Williamson, and adding Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving via free agency, you can make the argument that it’s up to RJ Barrett to save the Knicks.

The Knicks haven’t made the playoffs in 2012-13, and only have one playoff series win in the last 19 years. To say that New York is at rock bottom as an NBA franchise would be an understatement.

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New York is no longer a premier free-agent destination, which was evidenced by the Brooklyn Nets taking the two players that the Knicks believed they were going to land this summer, and must rebuild the reputation that they have poorly built over the last two decades.

One way to successfully do that is through in-house drafting and development, something that the Knicks have failed to do as of late. Even though there is still potential in their two most recent lottery picks – Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox – neither one of those players are exactly on pace to be breakout stars anytime soon.

As if it weren’t difficult enough, it’s practically impossible for the Knicks to recruit big-name free agents when they don’t have any appealing pieces already on their roster at the moment. Which is why landing Zion Williamson – before free agency – would’ve been a game-changer for New York.

Even though the franchise has mishandled the last few drafts, falling backward into Zion – a generational talent, by all indications – would’ve catapulted the Knicks into one of the prime destinations.

But enough with the “what if” scenarios. Now that Zion is not a part of the Knicks organization, that onus – of starting to rebuild to the reputation of the Knicks – now falls on RJ Barrett, Zion’s extremely talented running mate at Duke.

Barrett might not be the slam dunk prospect that many projected Zion to be coming out of Duke, but he is certainly one of the three most talented raw players to come out of this draft class. However, Barrett “saving” the Knicks will depend on more than just one variable.

First, can New York develop a raw talent as Barrett? Right now, I’m not sure there’s a slam dunk answer for that question. This is a franchise that has struggled mightily in that department as of late, especially with high picks.

Second, is Barrett even the type of talent that can lead a franchise out of the cellar? The biggest knock on Barrett after his freshman season at Duke was his inefficiency. Barrett averaged an impressive 23 points during his lone season at Duke but shot only 31 percent from 3-point range.

In the new NBA, a consistent 3-point shot is often what separates the good scorers from the great ones. Whether Barrett can take the next step as an offensive player might be dependent on his efficiency.

And third, will he be given the platform, touches and surrounding pieces to really blossom during his time on the floor? If the Knicks firmly believe in Barrett, they will give him the touches and minutes that suggest it. At the same time, with a player as inefficient as Barrett showcased during college, that’s also the perfect way to fill out a hollow stat sheet.

The good news is that the Knicks are positioned to do all those things for Barrett. Question is, will he deliver and repay them with production and star development?

Coming off an offseason that, frankly, wasn’t expected on the part of the New York Knicks, their future may lie in the hands of a player that they probably didn’t even envision having just a couple months ago. Despite that, can RJ Barrett save the Knicks’ franchise?