RJ Barrett is a two-way wing that currently plays for the New York Knicks. He is capable of guarding the best opposing player while also providing a good amount of offense. Though he was inefficient with the Knicks this season, RJ Barrett still managed to average 20.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 3.0 APG for the team.
The New York Knicks have notably been linked with a trade for Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz. Though some reports suggested that the Jazz did not want RJ Barrett in a Donovan Mitchell trade, Knicks insider Ian Begley has recently suggested that the Jazz were interested in acquiring the forward.
There’s been some conflicting reports on the Utah Jazz and RJ Barrett amid the Knicks’ pursuit of Donovan Mitchell. While some reports state that the Jazz have had no in interest in Barrett, I don’t believe that is the case.
Earlier this month – before reports emerged that Utah was willing to listen on Mitchell trade offers – the Jazz asked the Knicks about a package that included Mitchell Robinson, Barrett, other players, and at least three first-round picks.
Around that time, members of the Jazz were also making educated guesses/projections on what an extension for Barrett may look like, per sources.
The idea that the Jazz were thinking about what a Barrett extension may look like isn’t surprising. Any team in Utah’s position would want to project an extension for him into any possible trade scenarios.
But the idea that the Jazz asked about a package including Barrett and tried to estimate what an extension would look like for the player tells you that Utah had a degree of interest in Barrett.
Around the same time, some with the Jazz ranked Barrett among the best potential players they could receive in a trade from New York.
It remains to be seen if the New York Knicks do end up moving RJ Barrett to acquire Donovan Mitchell in the future. Ian Begley notably stated that the Knicks have no interest in trading RJ Barrett in any deal, including for Donovan Mitchell.
Hopefully, we see RJ Barrett develop into the star that the Knicks thought he would be when they drafted him No. 3 overall in 2019. He certainly has some untapped potential and could surprise many fans going forward.
