Let there be no mistake about it, the only team that prospect RJ Barrett wants to be drafted by is the New York Knicks.
This pairing makes sense for several different reasons. For starters, Barrett’s former teammate Zion Williamson is the consensus number one draft pick by the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Memphis Grizzlies (who own the second pick of the draft). Thus, it became public knowledge weeks ago that they prefer Murray State guard, Ja Morant, over every other prospect not named Williamson. It makes sense that the Knicks draft the player who is the next best prospect available, which is Barrett.
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“It would be a lot of fun, playing in the Garden, the bright lights,” Barrett told reporters back in May. “They have so much history down there. It would be amazing.”
Being drafted by the Knicks also gives Barrett to maximize his media potential. On the flip side, playing in New York also comes with potentially more scrutiny if Barrett were to underperform. Barrett, though, reportedly would welcome the scrutiny and additional media coverage and based on what we have seen at Duke, Barrett is not afraid of the spotlight.
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Another potential draft landing spot for Barrett besides the Knicks could be in New Orleans with his former teammate Williamson. Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis over the weekend made it known that the only two teams that he is considering signing a long-term contract with if traded are the Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. If the Knicks are interested in acquiring Davis this summer, one would think that the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft is an asset the Knicks would have to surrender to New Orleans. The potential of pairing Williamson with Barrett as they did together at Duke this season might tantalize the Pelicans enough to consider trading Davis to them over the Lakers, who are considered by many to be the favorites to land the All-Star via trade this summer.
