RJ Barrett is quite the interesting case as a young NBA player. The former 3rd overall pick back in 2019 to the New York Knicks has shown slow, but somewhat consistent growth throughout his three and a quarter years in the league, but is by no means up to the typical standard of a top lottery pick in the fourth year. The two players picked before him back in 2019, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant have blossomed into superstar caliber players at such a young age.
How does this mean Barrett won’t make the jump to stardom? Not necessarily. The 22 year old forward is averaging 17.6 points per game as well as 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in his young career. Barrett has shown flashes of stardom this far this season, however it seemingly only happens against weaker teams in the league. When the big games against conference rivals come along, RJ seems to be a no show.
Inefficient shooting seems to be the biggest thing holding Barrett back from making a jump in the NBA. The young forward is shooting a sub par 40.4% from the field this season, and an atrocious 28.5% from three point range. The only positive seen in RJ’s shooting this season is his free throw percentage, which sits at 77.6%, 7% better than his career average.
The Knicks certainly took a bit of a gamble when signing Barrett to a four year, 120 million dollar deal this Summer, but they’re hoping that gamble pays off. The deal takes Barrett through age 27, which hopefully will see him at the prime of his career. If he can reach all star level within the next year or so the Knicks gamble certainly paid off. But if he plays at the same level through this contract, it’ll be clear that the Knicks made a mistake.
The hope for the Knicks is that their 2019 lottery pick and second highest paid player on the team will turn into the star that they drafted him to be. While it’s taking Barrett some time, don’t close the page on the RJ Barrett chapter in New York just yet.
