Knicks 2022-23 Year in Review: RJ Barrett

How It Started

Being a consolation prize has more or less defined Barrett's NBA career from the start: when the Knicks fell from first to third at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, Barrett was the medicine taken for the shock of not landing Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. 

When the Knicks failed to capitalize on a fourth-place posting after the 2020-21 season, Barrett's year three breakout to the tune of a 20-point average (being the youngest Knick to reach that offensive mark) was a silver lining in a lost campaign. Barrett's reward was inclusion in nearly every hypothetical trade that brought Donovan Mitchell back to the Empire State. 

Instead, a four-year extension worth as much as $120 million for Barrett was announced shortly before it was revealed that the Knicks wouldn't respond to Danny Ainge's ransom note trade desires. It further solidified Barrett's status as the Knicks' homegrown franchise face and some pegged him as a future All-Star, especially with Team Canada bestowing him a major role in their quest to get back to the Olympics alongside names like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray. 

How It Went

Almost anywhere else, Barrett's averages of 19.6 points and five rebounds as well as success rates from both the field and the foul line would be acceptable and perhaps even inspiring for a 22-year-old. 

But Barrett regressed in far-too-noticeable ways: his success rate from deep dropped over three full percentage points (34 to 31 percent) and his defense did not improve: Barrett's rating at 116.5 was second-worst on the team ahead of only Jalen Brunson, who, of course, more than made up for those shortcomings on the offensive end. Barrett wasn't as fortunate, his offensive rating (115.3) worst among the Knicks' regular starters and ahead of only Isaiah Hartenstein in the nine-man rotation.

Signs of the expected Barrett, however, emerged in the postseason: whereas the efforts of Brunson and Julius Randle often helped mask Barrett's shortcomings, he returned the favor when each battle medical nags to the tune of a seven-game streak that featured six showings of at least 20 point. Though that streak ended with a 26-point masterpiece, it served only to delay the inevitable: Barrett was 1-of-10 from the floor and posted an abysmal net box score of minus-14.9 in the final loss to Miami. 

Highlight of the Year

Only adding to Barrett's legacy of consolation is the fact that his signature moment of the 2022-23 season came in a loss. 

Facing the Toronto Raptors, visitors from his native Ontario, in a Martin Luther King Day matinee, Barrett had plenty of reasons to apologize: having previously committed a foul that led to go-ahead free throws in the final minute, Barrett instantly atoned by forcing overtime. Grabbing a Scottie Barnes miss from the foul line, Barrett needed just six seconds to go coast-to-coast, putting down an equalizing dunk that drove an evening crowd at Madison Square Garden into hysterics.

Though the Knicks eventually lost in overtime, Barrett's showstopper against his hometown team was too electrifying and poetic to ignore. 

How It'll Continue

A new debate will surround Barrett this summer: was the postseason breakout enough to secure his metropolitan future?

For the time being, it's hard to say no. Barring a trade for an established superstar, it's hard to envision the Knicks parting ways with Barrett, especially after they declared him essential with Mitchell's prescience dangled in front of them. New developments, i.e. a combination of the new nine figures about to kick and his success in the playoffs, will likely further ensconce him in the Knicks' future. 

It's time, however, to generate a sense of consistency and reward the faith the Knicks have placed in him. Barrett has had plenty of moments that have left MSG's seats unoccupied but one big game is often undone by a week of shortcomings, an ill-timed foul, a lack of a big stop. Perhaps the upcoming Canada camp, set to lead into August's FIBA World Cup, will further light a fire under Barrett and give him a unique brand of preparation as prepares to play under the burden of a basketball windfall.