RJ Barrett

Just how genius is the Knicks’ long-term financial strategy?

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The New York Knicks finally have a sense of direction thanks to the hiring of president Leon Rose to lead the franchise from the front office. Taking a different approach toward the rebuild, the Knicks not only succeeded in their player evaluations through the draft, but their financial strategy has taken a significant step forward.

Several factors have contributed toward the Knicks becoming an attractive destination for star players. While they didn’t secure the rights to a player like Chris Paul this off-season, they did add Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker, two players who will offer more offensive efficiency and production compared to Elfred Payton and Reggie Bullock.

However, the Knicks are thinking long-term, but they’re also in a position to win now with the talent currently on the roster. Financially, they extended multiple players preparing to hit the open market but interestingly included a nonguaranteed third-year to clear salary space for several reasons.

Whether RJ Barrett is at the forefront of their decision-making financially or they are targeting a player like Zion Williamson down the road, the team will have plenty of funds available to them if need be. Just take a look at these contracts and how healthy they are for their future plans.

How great do the Knicks’ contracts look for the future?

Alec Burks: 3-years, $30 million

Nerlens Noel: 3-years, $27.7 million

Derrick Rose: 3-years, $43.56 million

Julius Randle: 4-year, $117 million (AAV under $30 million per season)

Theoretically, if the team is looking to open up salary space, they can clear Burks, Noel, and Rose off the books after the 2022-23 season.

How much will that account for?

The team would add a staggering $35.77 million, enough to extend RJ Barrett on a max contract or add a big name to complement Randle, who will only be in the 2nd year of his extension.

The maximum salary coming off a rookie contract is five years, $163 million (could be more if the salary cap continues to climb). However, that would be an ideal scenario for the Knicks, which would indicate Barrett becoming an All-NBA level talent that dominates in multiple facets.

More-so, the Knicks might be eyeing Williamson, whose contract with the Pelicans ends after the 2022-23 campaign. The Pelicans can offer him the qualifying offer, but the Knicks would have the monetary flexibility to present him with a massive offer sheet. Williamson has already indicated his love for the Knicks and desires to play in New York, so when his contract in New Orleans finishes, he will have a bit more leverage.

Nonetheless, taking a look at these contracts opens an exciting door that shows the quality of the front office and how they are strategizing for the future. At last, competent management for a franchise starving for leadership.

WATCH: Knicks’ Quentin Grimes and RJ Barrett are putting in the off-season work

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The New York Knicks have built out a solid foundation of young players with upside. In the most recent draft, the front office snagged Quentin Grimes out of Houston to bolster the shooting guard position. During Summer League play, Grimes increasingly became more efficient, averaging 32.8 minutes per game and scoring 15.3.

Grimes shot 41.6% from the field and 40.7% from the three-point range, averaging nine attempts per contest. He also picked up 1.3 steals per game, 3.0 assists, and 6.3 rebounds.

Overall, he showcased his abilities as a scorer, but he is buried on the depth chart behind options like Alec Burks and Immanuel Quickley. However, Grimes will be pushing for minutes during his rookie season, and if the Knicks can produce enough offensively, Grimes could pick up valuable garbage minutes toward the end of games.

Grimes has been working diligently to improve his qualities — working on shock creation and shooting form. Considering how he finished the Summer League, scoring 66 total points in the final three games, the 25th overall pick clearly has solid attributes that translate to the next level.

Aside from Grimes, who is 21 years old, fellow teammate RJ Barrett has spent two years in the NBA is the same age. Last season, Barrett played in all 72 games despite not being old enough to buy an alcoholic beverage in New York. He averaged 17.6 points, 3.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and shot 44% from the field. He also posted a career-high 40% from downtown, attempting 4.3 per game. His effective field-goal percentage settled at nearly 50%, as Barrett feasted in the corners from three-point range.

The young shooting guard is a starting-level talent that is just hitting his stride in the NBA after building muscle mass and experience. Barrett entered the league as a skinny guard, but he’s added plenty of size and weight to take on more physical defenders and drive to the basket with authority. With superior athleticism and great defensive prowess, Barrett will only be looking to improve upon his strengths this off-season.

During Drew Hanlen’s “Pure Sweat Run” this past week, Barrett featured with some prominent names in the NBA, including Carmelo Anthony.

It is nice to see the Knicks’ young players taking this off-season seriously and continuing to put the work in to improve ahead of an important 2021–22 season. With the front office injecting more talent and funds into the bolstering of the team, the Knicks have all the potential in the world.

How Knicks’ free agent signings will help RJ Barrett reach a new level

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The New York Knicks did exactly what they needed to do this offseason acquiring two players that can create their own offense: Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker. With the former Boston duo now sharing the backcourt in New York, one can only think that this will greatly benefit 3rd year forward RJ Barrett.

This past season, we saw much-improved play from the 21-year-old from Duke. Barrett increased his scoring, his efficiency, and his FG and 3pt FG %, all while being the second scoring option on a playoff team. He also improved his defense, becoming a reliable option for Coach Tom Thibodeau.

Where RJ Barrett Needs to Improve

If there’s one part of his game that needs the most work, it’s his shot creation. In 2020-2021, Barrett relied mainly on his perimeter game and finishing skills at the basket to generate offense. He only shot a combined 36% on field goal attempts from 10 feet to the 3 point line. Additionally, these only accounted for .156 of all RJ’s attempts. If he expects to take the next big leap as a scorer in 2021-22, he’s going to need to learn how to become more efficient at creating more midrange opportunities for the Knicks.

Barrett has been working this off-season diligently to improve his shot-creating and hesitation moves. Elevating that category will take pressure off Julius Randle to be the primary scorer, and with RJ’s ability to drive the rim, kicking it out to his sharpshooters will become even more lethal.

Fortunately, the presence of Walker and Fournier, two players that demand attention on offense, will give Barrett extra room to create and learn. He could also take after the two guards, who thrive from inside the 3 point line. Last season, Walker (in his worst shooting season since he was a rookie) still shot 41% from midrange, which was down from 47% the season before. Fournier, on the other hand, shot 44% from the same area while also seeing a big dip from previous seasons.

While Barrett’s scoring average may go down due to less usage, the play of the Knicks’ two newest additions will allow him to work on finding other ways to score and help him improve his ability to move without the ball.

There’s certainly a lot to look forward to this season, but how RJ continues to develop as a player will be one of the most intriguing.

Knicks open NBA Summer League against Raptors

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The New York Knicks will showcase their young core in the 16th MGM Resorts NBA Summer League set to tip-off on August 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The NBA announced Wednesday that all of the 75 NBA Summer League games would air live on television on ESPN networks or NBA TV. Every game will also be available to stream on the ESPN App.

Barring any trades, the Knicks’ Summer League core will feature Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, and newly-signed guard Luca Vildoza from Argentina and their draft picks. RJ Barrett could join them unless the Knicks hold him back to avoid injury. Former Kentucky big man Reid Travis, who went undrafted in 2019, will join the squad. Other free agents trying out for training camp spots will round up the team.

It will be the first NBA Summer League for Quickley and Toppin, as the league didn’t hold one last year due to the pandemic.

There is a big chance Vildoza can make it back to Las Vegas in time for the opening tip against the Toronto Raptors on August 8, as Argentina is in limbo in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Argentina lost its Olympics opener to Luka Doncic and Slovenia, 1118-110, where Vildoza scattered 11 points on 3-of-8 field goals, five assists, three rebounds, and three steals in 23 minutes of play.

As it stands, Argentina must win its next two games against Spain and host Japan to advance to the quarterfinals. If the Argentinians split their remaining two games, they have to end up as the top two third-place finishers among all groups. The quarterfinals will be played on August 3, followed by the semifinals two days later and medal matches on August 7.

Here’s the Knicks’ NBA Summer League broadcast schedule (all in Eastern Time):

Aug. 8 vs. Raptors 4:30 pm ESPN2

Aug. 11 vs. Lakers 10 pm ESPN2

Aug. 13 vs. Pistons 8 pm NBA TV

Aug. 14 vs. Cavs 8 pm NBA TV

Should the Knicks advance, they will play at least an additional game in the knockout-style playoffs on August 16. The NBA Summer League Finals will be played on August 17.

Fans who want to watch the games live can purchase tickets by visiting NBAEvents.com.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Report: Knicks’ RJ Barrett ‘untouchable’, Cavs seek veteran for Collin Sexton

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The Collin Sexton to the New York Knicks trade rumor is more complicated than it seems.

The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Knicks are the most aggressive trade suitor for the extension-eligible Sexton. But Shams Charania, who broke the report, cleared the air that the Cavaliers are in no rush to trade Sexton.

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com further reported on Wednesday that the Cavaliers and the Knicks have discussed Sexton but added that “they’ve put a hefty price tag on him, which could make a deal challenging.”

“If the Cavs can use Sexton as a trade chip to improve other areas of the roster and find a better-fitting piece that helps maximize (Darius) Garland’s skill set while also hedging against a difficult financial decision, they will consider it,” Fedor wrote.

A package of Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, and one of the Knicks’ 2021 firs round picks floated around after the Sexton trade rumor made headlines. But it seems that package isn’t palatable to the Cavaliers as they reportedly seek a veteran help, putting the Knicks in a bind.

Ian Begley of SNY reported on Thursday Cleveland’s preferred haul in a potential Sexton trade.

“One team doing its homework on a possible Sexton trade believed Cleveland would like to get a veteran who can help the club win in return for the 22-year-old guard,” Begley wrote.

The Cleveland.com report added that the Cavaliers were smitten with RJ Barrett ahead of the 2019 draft that they tried to move up a few spots. Their attempt was obviously unsuccessful, and they settled with Garland with the fifth overall pick.

But Begley noted that Barrett is apparently untouchable.

“People in touch with the Knicks recently came away with the impression that New York had little interest in including Barrett in any trades,” Begley wrote.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

 

Knicks Rumors: Conflicting reports have RJ Barrett’s future going in two different directions

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The New York Knicks likely understand that if they want to trade for a high-profile player, they must part ways with significant value. Ranging from young talent to draft selections, the Knicks have plenty of assets to allocate in such a trade plot, but they have to establish boundaries.

Of course, if Portland Trailblazers point guard Damian Lillard forces his way out, the Knicks will be in the conversation, depending on the price tag. Their draft selections are undoubtedly up for grabs in this theoretical situation, and several young pieces could be considered trade bait as well, but one player they should hold onto for the long term is Canadian-born guard RJ Barrett.

Conflicting reports indicate different Knicks front office opinions on trading away RJ Barrett:

SNY’s Ian Begley stated that the Knicks don’t have much interest in parting ways with RJ Barrett in a prospective trade:

One other note: People in touch with the Knicks recently came away with the impression that New York had little interest in including Barrett in any trades.

Barrett took a massive developmental jump last year, averaging 17.6 points, 3.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and shot 44% from the field. He also increased his three-point percentage from 32% to 40% in one season, attesting to his growth. He started in all 72 games, averaging 34.9 minutes per contest.
If he continues on this trend, Barrett could end up being a bonafide star in the future, and risking that reality for one player on a monster contract could be a massive mistake.
What do you consider trading Barrett for a superstar? Comment below!

Report: Knicks are willing to trade RJ Barrett in Damian Lillard blockbuster deal

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If the New York Knicks want to pry Damian Lillard away from the Portland Trailblazers, it is going to cost them an extravagant number of assets. Ranging from draft selections to quality talent, president Leon Rose would have to accept the fact that parting ways with potential elite talent could be a requirement to land a bonafide star point guard.

One player who should be off-limits is RJ Barrett, as he took a tremendous step forward in his development last season. Elevating his average points to 17.6, Barrett also recorded 3.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and shot 44% from the field. He also advanced in the three-point category, elevating his numbers from 32% in his rookie season to 40% last year.

However, there have been whispers that RJ could be a trade piece in a blockbuster deal for Lillard, who has enjoyed four consecutive All-Star appearances and is nearly 31 years old.

Per Marc Berman of the New York Post:

In a Lillard trade, the Knicks don’t want to have their roster ransacked but likely are willing to give up three of their future first-round picks. RJ Barrett is not considered an untouchable in a deal for a superstar, according to a source.

The Knicks need to be efficient and not overzealous:

Adding Lillard to a team that already has Julius Randle would be extravagant, but the Knicks would lose some of their most valuable pieces in the process. Unfortunately, that is what it takes to trade for a big name, but these deals oftentimes bite back with a simple injury or expiration of a contract.

In this case, Lillard recently signed a four-year, $176 million extension with Portland, which includes a player option in the fourth season during the 2024-25 campaign. The Knicks would have three guaranteed years with Damian on the roster, but they would also lose the opportunity to develop Barrett further and realize his potential as a quality shooting guard.

Considering the jump the Canadian-born Player took last year, there is a reason to believe he could be a star in the coming seasons, but the Knicks will never know if they offer him up in a trade.

The more efficient move would be to sit patiently and wait for free agency to unfold, acquiring quality players with available funds instead of trading your biggest assets for singular players. While adding Lillard would be tremendous, tearing apart the roster could backfire in a big way.

Having just reached the postseason, the Knicks know what they are capable of, and adding talent to weak positions should be a priority, especially with an extremely deep point guard market.

Knicks: RJ Barrett and Canada’s Olympics hopes end in heartbreaking OT loss

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New York Knicks wingman RJ Barrett played his best game in the tournament but it was not enough for Canada.

Barrett scattered team-highs 23 points and six assists to help Canada forced overtime after trailing by nine points late in regulation. But the Czech Republic recovered and proved steadier down the stretch banking on Tomas Satoransky’s heroics that ended Canada’s Olympics hopes.

The Czech Republic advanced to the finals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria, B.C. in Canada with a gut-wrenching 103-101 win Saturday after Satoransky hit a banked shot with 1.8 seconds left in overtime.

The Czech Republic was in control for most of the match behind their crisp ball movement (24 assists) and outside shooting (13-28 3s). They looked headed to a comfortable victory after Satoransky hit a pair of free throws that extended their lead to nine, 94-85, with 44.7 seconds remaining.

But Barrett just wouldn’t give up. He keyed a 9-0 Canada closing run in the regulation with a stepback three-pointer.

Then Andrew Wiggins punctuated that run with a three-pointer off a steal to extend the game for five more minutes.

Canada opened the overtime with a five-point lead, 99-94, behind Barrett’s big plays. The Knicks wingman assisted Nickeil Alexander-Walker for a wide-open three-pointer then he followed up with a beautiful spin move and drew a foul.

But Barrett missed the bonus shot and things began to unravel. The Czech Republic stormed back and took the lead on a wide-open Blake Schilb three-pointer, 101-99, with 49 seconds left.

During that stretch, Barrett missed a three-pointer and a floater that could have extended Canda’s lead to three. Instead, Schilb, who led the Czechs with 31 points, hit the go-ahead three-pointer.

Wiggins tied the game with a short stab before Satoransky hit the game-winner over the outstretched arms of Oklahoma City Thunder’s defensive stalwart Lu Dort.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Canada who came into this game with back-to-back victories over Greece and China.

Barrett ended the tournament with all-around numbers of 20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists with a shooting split of 49/32/55.

He was Canada’s second-leading scorer behind Wiggins’ 21.7 points and was tied with Cory Joseph as the team’s assists leader.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Amid trade rumors, Knicks’ RJ Barrett plays unselfish in Canada’s rout of China

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As trade rumors swirl around, New York Knicks‘ swingman RJ Barrett continues to help Canada in its quest to return to the Olympics since his father, Rowan, and his godfather, Steve Nash, starred for the Canadian side in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“Last time we made the Olympics, my dad was wearing 9, and now I’m wearing it,” Barrett said. “It feels right.”

Canada moved two wins away from its mission after pummeling China, 109-79, Wednesday night to sweep the group stage in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament right on their home soil in Victoria, B.C.

“I haven’t been home in a while,” Barrett said. “This, with Canada on your chest, there’s no other feeling like it.”

A couple of hours before tip-off, there’s a report coming out from New York that the Knicks are interested in packaging Barrett in a potential deal for a star like Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal.

Barrett brushed that off aside and proceeded to spearhead Canada’s balanced attack.

Against China’s tall frontline anchored by former NBA player, 7-foot-1 Zhou Qi, Barrett’s shots were not falling inside. He shot 3-of-10 from the field in the opening half but still managed to squeeze in 10 points to lead Canada’s offense. With his attacks to the rim hotly contested, Barrett helped spread up the offense with three assists.

Canada opened up a double-digit lead it never relinquished.

Barrett finished the game with 16 points behind Andrew Wiggins’ 20 points. But he dished out five of Canada’s 30 assists in a display of unselfish plays that will be key in clinching a spot in the Tokyo Olympics next month.

He was tied with backup point guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker for the second-most assists in the game behind their starting playmaker Cory Joseph who issued seven.

More importantly, Barrett found his range from the outside, hitting 3-of-7 after going 1-for-6 in their close win against Greece in the opener.

The 21-year old Barrett is now averaging 19.0 points behind Wiggin’s 21.5-point average and is also the team’s second-best playmaker with a 4.0-assists average tied with Alexander-Walker. Joseph’s 6.5-assists average leads the team.

Aside from his quest to bring Canada back to the Olympics, Barrett is using this tournament to stay sharp for the grind ahead. He plans to link up with his trainer Drew Hanlen, who also trains Beal, later in the summer. And their goal is to add a three-point shot off the dribble and on the move after he’s become a better catch-and-shoot player this season.

Trade or no trade, Barrett is sticking to his schedule and path to NBA stardom.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Report: Knicks ‘interested’ in packaging RJ Barrett in blockbuster deal for star point guard | Reaction

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To be clear, one of the worst things the New York Knicks can do is trade away RJ Barrett, but according to some reports, he could be on the chopping block if a star point guard becomes available this off-season.

With rumors that Damian Lillard and even Bradley Beal could be on the open market for a monstrous haul, the Knicks would undoubtedly have to package together an attractive deal to sway either the Portland Trailblazers or Washington Wizards. The belief is that Barrett would have to be included, coming off his best season yet at 20 years old. Playing in all 72 games, Barrett averaged 17.6 points, 3.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and shot .441 from the field. He also elevated his three-point percentage to .401 over 4.3 attempts per game.

The developmental leap Barrett took this past season was astronomical, and having just turned of age to purchase alcohol in the USA, he has a bright future ahead of him.

Kristian Winfield of the NY Daily News was told his future in New York could be in question:

The source told the Daily News that the Knicks are interested in packaging rising star RJ Barrett in a deal for a star guard, like Portland’s Damian Lillard or Washington’s Bradley Beal. If both the Trail Blazers and Wizards are uninterested in a deal, the source says the Knicks are also monitoring Cleveland’s Collin Sexton, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Charlotte’s Terry Rozier as younger guards the franchise can fold into its plans for the future.

The New York Knicks should do the exact opposite of what this report indicates:

There is no need for the Knicks to part ways with significant assets this off-season in hopes of landing a star point guard, as they can simply use their salary space to get the job done alternatively.

The Knicks have approximately $50+ million available in funds to allocate toward the PG position if they see fit, so sending one of the brightest young players on his way could be categorized as malpractice.

Let’s get one thing straight, parting ways with Barrett would be a massive mistake, but he would be a small piece in what would evidently be major mismanagement of value. Not only will they have to transfer one of their best players on his rookie deal outward, but his departure wouldn’t even scratch the surface of the additional assets included (multiple first-round picks and likely other quality talents).

Of course, the concept of adding an elite PG is enticing, but not at the cost of risking the organization’s future. If the Knicks acquired Lillard, for example, they would only have about $15 million remaining to allocate toward complementary pieces. Simply put, this would be one of the worst moves the Knicks could make, and hopefully, management is thinking differently than this report indicates.