New York Knicks: Third pick likely means R.J. Barrett

Now that the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery is in the books, we know where the New York Knicks will be picking. Unfortunately for the team and their fans, it is third rather than first, but it could be worse.

The New York Knicks finished the 2018-19 season with the worst record in the NBA. Unfortunately for NYK, this year’s lottery was a bit different and the Knicks had only a 14 percent chance at the first pick. The Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers had the same odds.

Well unless you live under a rock and haven’t been paying attention to sports news, you know that the 86 percent won and the Knicks did not get the first pick and the rights to Zion Williamson. The Knicks wound up with the third overall pick which means they will have the chance to take Williamson’s teammate, RJ Barrett.

Had you asked a Knicks fan seven months ago if they’d be excited about getting RJ Barrett with the third overall pick, they would likely be dancing in the streets of Manhattan. Well, that was seven months ago before Barrett suited up for the Duke Blue Devils, a time when every mock draft had Barrett going first overall with his teammates, Zion Williamson, and Cam Reddish following right after.

Again, that was seven months ago, before Zion Williamson broke out and won every award possible in the NCAA. Also, it was before the Knicks became as bad as we now know them to be. However, RJ Barrett is still a fantastic player and he is a fantastic pick, especially at third overall.

Barrett was the top-ranked high school player in the Class of 2018, over Zion Williamson, over Cam Reddish and over so many other freshmen who were fantastic this past season. This just goes to show you how great of a player Barrett is and how high his ceiling is.