NBA Draft 2019: 5 targets for the New York Knicks

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates a basket as head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans calls timeout during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional Final at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

2. R.J. Barrett, Wing, Duke

If things continue as they are, the Knicks will likely be getting the “other” guy from Duke. While R.J. Barrett may have been living in Zion Williamson’s shadow for the past year at Duke, Barrett has more than proven himself as one of the top prospects in this year’s NBA draft.

Barrett was the top scorer at Duke, had more assists than Zion, and only trailed Zion’s team-leading rebound average by 1.3. His ceiling is as a three-level scorer who can function as a primary creator. Hitting that ceiling may be a stretch, considering his questionable decision-making and tendency to get tunnel vision on drives to the basket but his tools are as good as anyone in this class, non-Zion division.

Barrett may not make a ton of sense on a roster with Kevin Knox, Durant and Irving but the Knicks won’t know how free agency will shake out at the time they need to make this pick and Barrett gives them as much upside for the future as they’re likely to find at No. 3.

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