With NBA Media Day officially wrapped up, this week marks the beginning of training camp and the upcoming 2022-2023 season. Between Media Day and training camp, this is the time of year where every team/fanbase is filled with excitement and optimism for what lies ahead. Being the excited and overly-optimistic Knicks fan that I am, it’s only fitting that I dedicate today’s post to RJ Barrett and the New York Knicks.
RJ Barrett was the center of trade rumors involving the Knicks and the Utah Jazz virtually all summer. Although, after all of the speculation, Barrett stayed put in New York and even signed a 4-year/$120M contract extension with the team. With this extension, Barrett became the first Knicks player selected in the first-round to sign a second contract off his rookie deal since Charlie Ward accomplished said feat in 1999. With that contract extension, comes greater expectations for Barrett and this Knicks team to take that next step. As someone who is a firm believer in RJ Barrett and his abilities, I am looking forward to seeing how he handles the added pressure and how he can continue to improve while helping the Knicks win games.
Barrett didn't just trip-and-fall into a $30M annual salary, he earned it. In his last 41 games, Barrett has averaged 23.6 PPG, 6 RPG and 3.5 APG, all while playing over 37 minutes per game (Per StatMuse). Barrett was performing at a high level during the final 41 games of the season and he just turned 22 years old in June. The Knicks are betting on Barrett to continue his development and ascension by giving him the contract extension they did, and will continue to do what they can to put him in position to succeed.
At +550 odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, you can now place a wager on Barrett to average 23+PPG while leading the Knicks to a postseason appearance. Just two seasons ago, this team was the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Not to mention, they just landed arguably the top free agent point guard this offseason in Jalen Brunson. You can make the case that Brunson is already the best point guard the Knicks have had in the last decade, and he hasn’t even played a game for them yet. Brunson’s addition should help draw some defensive attention off of Barrett while also giving Barrett a dynamic play-making guard to help produce more efficient scoring opportunities.
As seen throughout Barrett’s final 41 games, it’s clear that he is their best scorer and this offense should continue to revolve around him. During that stretch, Barrett shot 41.2% from the field and 71.9% from the free throw line. If Barrett can improve his efficiency, averaging 23 PPG shouldn’t be an issue. It remains to be seen if the Knicks are truly a playoff team and if their magical 4-seed season from two years ago was simply a mirage, but given the current roster and the outlook of the Eastern Conference, we cannot count them out.
My Pick: RJ Barrett to average 23+PPG and NY Knicks to make the playoffs (+550 odds via DraftKings Sportsbook)