Knicks' RJ Barrett: Starting 5 'Weak Link'?

RJ Barrett will spend the offseason working to retain a spot in the New York Knicks' starting lineup.

Jeremy Brener | Jul 31, 2023

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are still figuring out what their starting lineup will look like when the season tips off in October.

It's almost certain that Jalen Brunson will run the point, while Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson will hold starting spots at power forward and center, respectively.

As for the wings, there's still two spots possibly up for grabs. Quentin Grimes, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and RJ Barrett all have cases to be named to the starting five but out of that group, Barrett could be the "weak link," per Bleacher Report.

"He's scored a whopping 299.1 fewer points than a perfectly average shooter would have on his attempts over that stretch," Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey writes. "He doesn't get to the free-throw line near enough to make up for that, and his defense isn't really moving the needle either.

"Since the start of 2021-22, the New York Knicks are minus-1.7 points per 100 possessions with Barrett on the floor and plus-7.3 without him."

As a former top-three draft pick, the consolation prize for missing out on Zion Williamson and Ja Morant in 2019, Barrett has the highest ceiling among the Knicks' wings. That promise and potential was rewarded with a four-year, $107 million extension last summer, which kicks in this season after he was kept out of potential trades for then-Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell.

If Barrett can improve his efficiency, he can solidify his spot in the Knicks' starting five and continue to elevate like a former top pick should.

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Published Jul 31, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.