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2019 NBA Mock Draft: Will the Knicks’ big gamble pay off?

By Brendon Kleen

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 02: Duke Blue Devils forward RJ Barrett (5) guarded by St. John’s Red Storm guard Mustapha Heron (14) during the 2nd half of the Duke Blue Devils game versus the St. John’s Red Storm on February 2nd, 2019, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 02: Duke Blue Devils forward RJ Barrett (5) guarded by St. John’s Red Storm guard Mustapha Heron (14) during the 2nd half of the Duke Blue Devils game versus the St. John’s Red Storm on February 2nd, 2019, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

player. 66. . G. Duke. R.J. Barrett. 3

Barrett was the prospect most frequently linked to the Suns heading into the season when the Canadian playmaker was expected to be more of a traditional ball-handling prospect. Now, it’s clear Barrett needs less responsibility early in his NBA career rather than more. Duke’s focal point on offense has nearly as many turnovers as assists and the Blue Devils’ elite offense is nearly four points worse per 100 possessions when Barrett is on the floor.

While Barrett may not be the player we thought heading into the year, he has scored and made enough of a defensive impact to remain firmly in the top three. It also makes him a different type of fit for next to Devin Booker, whose playmaking has taken a leap this year as the Suns search for the right type of guard next to him. They traded for Tyler Johnson on Wednesday in a deal that somewhat centered on salary considerations going forward but also signals the Suns’ idea of a backcourt partner for Booker. While Johnson will come off the bench the rest of the year for the Suns, he will play a good deal next to Booker as the Suns try to use two secondary playmakers to add up to one primary.

The thinking is the same for all the guys Phoenix has brought in over the last 12 months to play with Booker. They drafted Elie Okobo, a future bench scorer with size, in the second round last June, then traded for the defensive dynamo De’Anthony Melton in August. Now, by trading for Johnson, the Suns are stockpiling a variety of different guards around Booker, none of whom would be a “traditional” point guard but all provide balance for Booker’s growing array of skills.

Barrett would be the ultimate partner, probing the furthest bounds of modern basketball with two jumbo playmakers at the one and the two.

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