1. Barrett needs to hit his free throws
One area where Barrett thrives is in the paint. His ability to get to the basket, and finish through contact enables him for a lot of three-point play opportunities. Even when he doesn't finish through the contact, he is still able to draw fouls and get to the line.
This move from G4 against the Cavs by RJ Barrett:
ā DJ (@DJAceNBA) September 19, 2023
Using his right hand to manipulate with the hesitation is real development. The look-off forces Mobley to open up (:19), allowing RJ to attack the back foot. Mobley had been in good position. Wrong foot/inside hand finish...š„ pic.twitter.com/YxaNOK7uFk
He has no issue getting to the charity stripe, but he does have an issue making those charity shots. Barrett has shot a lousy 70.9% from the free-throw line. If he improves that number, he would for sure see a drastic increase in his offensive production.
In Barrett's last two seasons, he has averaged 5.6 trips to the line per game. If he can become an 85% plus free throw shooter, he could easily become one of the game best scoring wings. He always could become a great player, but consistency is what he lacks.
If New York sees an improvement from the charity stripe, behind the arc, and consistency on defense, then they might have another star on their hands. Since he was selected third overall in 2019, Knicks fans have been waiting to see Barrett turn into an All-Star, and now in his fifth season, he will likely be striving toward that himself.