NBA Draft 2019: Way too early Rookie of the Year rankings

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Michigan State Spartans 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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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 5: RJ Barrett poses for a photo prior to a game between the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors before Game Three of the NBA Finals on June 5, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. R.J. Barrett, New York Knicks

If the New York Knicks are intelligent enough to surround Barrett with shooters, then they will be just fine. He had a fantastic year despite being overshadowed by the No. 1 overall draft pick throwing down thunderous dunks all season. Barrett averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4 assists per game as a freshman.

Steve Nash is this young man’s godfather too, by the way, and so he’ll get a lot of fantastic advice during his first few years in the league. He’ll need it too with this franchise. If he can even get them to the playoffs in the next three years, though, then he’ll have a lot of fans in New York.

Nash is a two-time MVP, an eight-time All-Star, and a Basketball Hall of Famer. Wouldn’t you like to have that guy as your godfather? The former Phoenix Suns PG has realistic expectations for Barrett, but also high ones.

“You realize that where I got is hard to project on anyone,” Nash told The Undefeated. “But he has every chance to be as good as a player or better. Will he win two MVPs? That is not a fair thing to say, because so much of that is on circumstance and situation. You never know. But can he be a guy that plays in eight All-Star Games? Absolutely.”

Barrett’s awesome nickname is “Maple Mamba”, and he is a member of Canada’s national basketball team. He has also said that it would great to play in Madison Square Garden every night. Well, now we all get to enjoy. Could this be the beginning the Knicks actually being good again? We shall see. Now let’s move on to Barrett’s college roommate.

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