The Knicks have officially signed forward RJ Barrett to a rookie scale extension, the team announced today in a press release.
While the Knicks’ didn’t specify the terms of the deal in their announcement, previous reports indicated that Barrett’s new four-year contract, which will go into effect in 2023/24, will include $107MM in guaranteed money and could be worth up to $120MM with incentives related to All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defensive selections.
“We are thrilled to announce a well-deserved extension for RJ Barrett, a core piece of our team’s foundation,” Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose said in a statement. “At only 22 years old, he has elevated his game each season, solidifying himself as a force on both ends of the court. We believe he will continue to improve because of his passion for the game and dedication to his craft. We want to continue to build our team and culture around players like RJ who possess these values and qualities.”
Fittingly, the Knicks announced Barrett’s extension at almost exactly the same time word broke that the Jazz were trading Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland. The Knicks and Jazz reportedly had extensive discussions about Barrett as a possible centerpiece in a trade for Mitchell, with New York setting a Monday night deadline to either agree to a trade or extend the former No. 3 overall pick.
Barrett’s extension didn’t rule out the possibility that the Jazz and Knicks could work out a Mitchell trade, even one involving Barrett. However, it put those trade discussions on the back burner at least temporarily, opening the door for the Cavs to swoop in and finalize a trade for Mitchell themselves.
With Mitchell no longer available, it’s a safe bet Barrett will be a Knick in 2022/23. If he’s not included in another trade for a star down the road, he’s on track to remain in New York all the way through at least the ’26/27 season — his new deal reportedly doesn’t include any player or team options, so he won’t be eligible for free agency until the summer of 2027.
A former star at Duke, Barrett has steadily increased his scoring average in his three NBA seasons with the Knicks, registering a career-high 20.0 PPG in 70 games (34.5 MPG) in 2021/22. He also contributed 5.8 RPG and 3.0 APG while shooting .408/.342/.714 last season.
Those shooting marks were a step down from his career bests in ’20/21 (.441/.401/.746), but the presence of newly acquired point guard Jalen Brunson this season should help boost Barrett’s scoring efficiency.
wOnDeR wHy tHeY cHoSe tOdAy
RJ is back, enjoy Mitchell Cavs! The Knicks were smart here.
Cavs didn’t really give up and big pieces for mitchell. Cavs are pretty solid. Knicks well they got Brunson
Lol Brunson vs Mitchell. NY were deffo not smart.
Lol. You’ve got 420 million tied to Randle, Fournier, Brunson and RJ. Good luck with that. Knicks just turned away from potentially their second best player this century
Knicks fans claiming to be happy they didn’t get Mitchell after guaranteeing he was a Knicks and making plans on how he’ll be used, is just like the ugly, unemployed fat dude being turned down by the prom queen and saying that he didn’t really like her any way because she’s just a beach.
Knicks are that meme of a dog in the middle of a burning house saying This is Fine.
Knicks fans acting like they dodged a bullet. And making out like Mitchell isn’t better than everyone on their roster.
Their young guys won’t even get the chance to prove if they’re better than him with Thibs as coach
I agree Cam and Obi are extremely good talents. But will they get mins under him? Probably not.
Easiest way to move forward, fire Thibs, offload Randle, Fournier and depending on how he plays without a superstar next to him Brunson too and rebuild with grace. No more of these rash moves then missing out on good opportunities later.
So Mitchell being better than everyone on their roster means you should give up the farm for him, thereby ensuring a run of lower-tier playoff berths? How does that make sense? That doesn’t even account for the fact that the Knicks may need to give up additional assets to move Randle.
Most of the more rationale Knicks fan I’ve seen did not want Mitchell at the reported very high costs. Yes, some likely overvalue the Knicks young assets, but going all-in on Mitchell with whomever would be left over on that roster would’ve been silly.
I think they made the right move here.
After going all in on Brunson to fall short on Mitchell has to hurt.
What do they do to get better from here? The picks they acquired are all heavily protected and the roster they have now is mediocre enough to win too many games to tank. They’ll have cap space this off-season but who are going to throw the money at? Wiggins? Or just hold course and keep signing role players to 2 years deals and hope another star player breaks loose?
Sure, and I don’t have the answer to that. But I also don’t think forcing a Mitchell trade would’ve been a better alternative. Just have to see how things will play out. I think this is better in the long run, even if there’s always the chance things don’t end well.
In the short-term, they would be best served by trading Randle (which seems possible), trading Cam (which seems likely), and moving on from Thibs (which seems doubtful). That’s about all you could ask for right now.
Maybe in 50 years the Knicks might get another star! At least for the next 3 years they’re stuck being a bad team.
Donovan Mitchell is the one who is most upset right now. This guy really wanted to come home to play for the Knicks. He will be fine, but he is VERY disappointed.
Even more pressure on R.J. Barrett now. Barrett becoming a legit star is now the most logical way for the Knicks to improve. Not sure he is ready to be a “star” in this league. Solid player though.
Mitchell will be fine, he wants to win and this Cavs team should win a lot of basketball games.
Knicks look like fools right now. Stick with Thibs who won’t play the young guys. Stuck with vets who don’t move the needle. Just turned down the chance to have their only real star other than melo this century. Mitchell is only 25 and has started in multiple playoff runs. Something which New York can’t claim since the 99 finals.
Knicks not getting another stud. The sun will rise tomorrow. Water is wet. Air is what we breathe.
Knicks chose to keep there young bench riders instead of deal for an all star player.
Cavs we’re like sweet we will give you Sexton (wasn’t going to resign), Markeneen decent PF but they have Mobley and KLove at PF and a rookie they took in the draft.
Smart by the Cavs and stupid by the Knicks but what’s new.
So for the Knicks moving forward do you look to trade Randle instead and try get better that way?
Cause just adding Brunson isn’t going to be enough to move the needle much.
Idk I’d be looking at Julius Randle for Jae Crowder, Cam Johnson and Torrey Craig.
Brunson Barrett Johnson Toppin Robinson
DRose Grimes Reddish Crowder Hartenstein
McBride IQ Craig Sims
Johnson gives you a solid 3 and D wing with some good upside. He’d be a solid fit with what they have and fit the timeline well. Crowder seems like a Thibs kinda player and would be solid for depth. Then Craig to make salary’s match but is a handy player and nice expiring deal.
For the Suns, CP3 Booker Bridges Randle Ayton
Payne Shamet Okogie Saric Biyambo
Lee Landale
They’d open up roster spots which they can fill with the best remaining FA, maybe Melo, Iggy, Griffin, Ariza, Jeremy Lamb, Jabari Parker, Bembry or Kennith Faried.
I’d suggest Bembry, Iggy and Griffin.
But that starting 5 would be really good and with the Fa additions I think you’d actually create better depth.
I wouldn’t have given the farm for Mitchell.
Good move bye resigning Barrett. He already avg 20-5-3. And can improve. Flashes of Even more upside like that 46-point game.
Cam Reddish has got to play.
I wouldn’t attach anything to move Randle. If moving on from him, it would hace to ve for a 1st or a young player with upside. Which is very far from what no GM Will give for him now. So You have to stick with him and hope for a rebound/newfound role, which he’s capable of, starting with a new approach and mindset.
Find roles for deuce (slasher/organizer/pg-wing stopper), Jericho Sims (Big time athleticism), Toppin, and make the veterans fit into the New team, not fit the team to the vets Fournier, Rose, Taj (who’s no longer on the team).
Don’t overrate Grimes. I have more confidence in McBride. Grimes still needs to develop to getbri be a viable 3 and D player, Who, as of now, can’t put the ball on the floor.
For the end, Even if he touched his ceiling and moving forward there could be better options, don’t forger Thibs took a cellar-dwelling team, the laughing-stock of the NBA because of his huge, almost unmatched exposure, to the playoffs, changing his identity, shutting critics, getting a criticized player to MIP, All-Star, All-NBA and 100 million contract, and changing overall the atmosphere and culture. Knicks were started to be taken seriously by other teams all that season. He was instrumental in accomplishing that. Might not have been a championship (yet), but it ain’t the same as a 20 or less win team, either. Give the man.his credit
Usually what Thibs does. Show up, flashes of brilliance in the first season or two – it dims, then he loses the team, then he’s fired.
His ultimate success came with the KG, Pierce, Ray & Rondo squad. Everything else is fringe successes. His résumé isn’t even as good as D’Antoni’s.
He’s alright. Not sure where all the hype for Thibs comes from.
All of those young guys apart from RJ you mention won’t get to play
Time to rise RJ ……. NY is yours bro
Best young 2way player in NBA. Best players in NBA are 2way players.
Best young two way player in the NBA? Really?
Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, DeJounte Murray, Ben Simmons, Evan Mobley, Jaren Jackson, Jarrett Allen, Joel Embiid just to name a few off the top which are better
Ben has already made it ….. you missed it I guess
Murray also has made it …. missed him too
Williamson really. Does he still play in NBA
Ingram ???? This is a joke right. I could post this guy
Tatum is one of best players already. D is not his strength imo. And Celtics don’t want it to be.
Jalen is already there. You missed that too.
Now Scottie yes I have to agree he is coming. But one yr does not make him the best. Young player means coming into his own. I guess I should’ve of made that clear.
RJ is establishing that right now emphasis on 2Way …… he is a primary scorer. Scottie is not.
And why would you compare bigs to him. Totally different game.
What do you mean already made it and I missed it?
You said RJ is the best young 2 way player which he is not.
Ben is a better defender by miles and on offence besides shooting he gives you 15+ points and 8+ assists every day
Murray again made it? He’s young and is a better defender and does more for the offence.
Ingram better offence than RJ and defensively he’s not that much worse.
Tatum is better at everything compared to RJ same with Jaylen Brown
Zion I can’t stand the injury stuff but when he plays he’s a better defender and offers more on offence. Jaren again better defender and on offence doesn’t offer as much so I’d say is actually kinda on par
As for Scottie, 1 season who cares, he’s a way better defender and on offence he does everything RJ can plus he’s a better ball handler and facilitator.
Means they are already stars. Already established. I really need to explain this bro.
RJ is still coming still getting better. As is Scottie. RJ is three yrs in. I’ll give Scottie another yr.
Zion ain’t playing no D
Best?
What happened to Scottie Barnes?
RJ
(2019-20) – 30.4 mins, 14 pts, 5 reb, 2.6 ast, .402 FG%, .614 FT%, .320 (3pt%)
(2020-21) – 34.9 mins, 17.6 pts, 5.8 rep,
3 ast, .441 FG%, .746 FT%, .401 (3pt%)
(2021-22) – 34.5 mins, 20 pts, 5.8 reb, 3 ast,
.408 FG%, .714 FT%, .342 (3pt%)
RJ first yr he was 19 yrs old,
Scottie
(2021-22) – 35.4 mins, 15.3 pts, 7.5 reb,
3.5 ast, .492 FG%, .735 FT%, .301 (3pt%)
Scottie first yr he was 20yrs old.
Scottie was ROY had a great yr. Imo he’s not as far along as RJ. Will he be better. After one yr. I can only say. He’s got a shot, yes.
20 yr old RJ put up better stats. I like Scottie. So I’m not going to dog him. But he needs a few yrs. RJ is just 10 months older than Scottie. So basically the same age. Time will tell. I’m good with RJ on my team.