RJ Barrett could see time at point guard for Knicks this season
The New York Knicks might not be too watchable this season, but one interesting storyline could be how the team deploys rookie star RJ Barrett.
Knicks head coach David Fizdale spoke on Tuesday about the possibility of playing the No. 3 overall pick at the point guard position for the team.
“I’ve thrown him at that position a couple times already,” said Fizdale, per Ian Begley of SNY. “He played some of that in college. I think it adds another layer to how dynamic he can be. Especially having someone that big that can switch things do some different things defensively. So yeah, I’ll sprinkle that in.
“He’s really poised. He looks comfortable,” Fizdale continued about Barrett. “The kid likes having the ball in his hands. He’s unselfish. He finds people. He understands – he knows our plays from that position. I feel very comfortable if I have to throw him there.”
The 6-foot-7 Barrett, a natural wing, averaged 22.6 points and 4.3 dimes per game at Duke last season, posting the highest usage rate on the team as well as one of the highest assist percentages.
The Knicks have a crowded point guard rotation with Dennis Smith Jr, Frank Ntilikina, and new arrival Elfrid Payton all competing for minutes. It is hard to discount Barrett’s case for time at the 1 however, especially considering that this Hall of Fame point guard once called him a “next-level playmaker.”
