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RJ Barrett is the right pick for the Knicks

By Christian Candeloro

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 2 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrate after defeating the UCF Knights in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 2 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrate after defeating the UCF Knights in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Barrett is heading to the Big Apple

For a little while, it seemed possible that the New York Knicks were going to pass on selecting talented Duke freshman RJ Barrett in favor of selecting point guard Darius Garland from Vanderbilt. In the end, the Knicks made the absolute right decision selecting Barrett.

Barrett instantly becomes the best player on the Knicks roster and although the Knicks offseason had great aspirations of Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, or Kyrie Irving, Barrett represents an excellent consolation prize.

Barrett entered college as the No. 1 prospect in the nation, and was expected to be the shining star for the Blue Devils. That obviously didn’t happen, as Barrett was outshined by Zion Williamson, the No. 1 pick in the 2019 Draft. Barrett and Williamson become the first college teammates selected in the top three since Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid in 2014.

Still, Barrett averaged 22.6 points on 45 percent shooting and led the Blue Devils to a 32-6 record and the ACC Tournament Title.

Garland was rumored late to be the selection of the Knicks, despite playing in only five games for the Vanderbilt Commodores in 2018-19. Garland was fantastic in his brief appearance, averaging 16.2 points per game on elite shooting (47-percent from three). He’s a shifty playmaker who has the potential to be a star in the NBA.

However, he’s not of the same caliber or name-value as Barrett. Barrett will instantly assimilate himself into the culture of New York and become the face of the franchise. Barrett joins a young core, led by Kevin Knox and Dennis Smith Jr. The Knicks went 17-65 in 2018-19, and adding Barrett plus any free agents could swing that closer to .500.

In the end, the Knicks didn’t win the lottery, but it won a massive upgrade on its young roster that will provide the building blocks to put together a contender in the future.

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