Woj: RJ Barrett, Knicks Finalizing 4-Year Rookie Extension Worth Up to $120M

[GSWFan1994]

Tons of guys can average 20 if given the freedom to post a .511 TS% in the process. If he wasn’t the least efficient 20 pt scorer in the nba last season (I’m betting he probably was) then it’s a very short list of guys who were worse

I know Jules, and I agree with you. I know RJ's lack of efficiency.

However, I think he's still young enough to improve in that aspect of his game.

As with many young players, if they fix one single issue, the floor would open up a lot more for them.

I remember when Paul George was in his 2nd season in Indiana. I remember watching him and thinking, "if this guy somehow improves his ballhandling, he will be an All-Star"... and guess what, he did.

Similar to Billups back in the day when he was getting traded seemingly almost every other year.

There are countless examples of that happening throughout the NBA's history.

I think Barrett will eventually reach All-Star/borderline All-Star status (= a top 25 player in a given year).

Not saying he will be a superstar, franchise player or anything like that. I just think that, based on past production, tools, age and what little we have seen about his character, he has another jump in him, productivity-wise.

Cheers.

[JulesWinnfield]

Tons of guys can average 20 if given the freedom to post a .511 TS% in the process. If he wasn’t the least efficient 20 pt scorer in the nba last season (I’m betting he probably was) then it’s a very short list of guys who were worse

I know Jules, and I agree with you. I know RJ's lack of efficiency.

However, I think he's still young enough to improve in that aspect of his game.

As with many young players, if they fix one single issue, the floor would open up a lot more for them.

I remember when Paul George was in his 2nd season in Indiana. I remember watching him and thinking, "if this guy somehow improves his ballhandling, he will be an All-Star"... and guess what, he did.

Similar to Billups back in the day when he was getting traded seemingly almost every other year.

There are countless examples of that happening throughout the NBA's history.

I think Barrett will eventually reach All-Star/borderline All-Star status (= a top 25 player in a given year).

Not saying he will be a superstar, franchise player or anything like that. I just think that, based on past production, tools, age and what little we have seen about his character, he has another jump in him, productivity-wise.

Cheers.

As a Knicks fan I hope you’re right. I have my doubts tho

As an aside, great name. The 94 warriors were one of my favorite teams of all time to watch. Rookie Cwebb, young Sprewell, Chris mullin. Enjoyed the heck out of that team. Barkley was just on another level in that playoff series though

[Chanel Bomber]

Good deal for the Knicks. I thought Barrett would get the max based on being a high pick and potential relative to production.

I think he has a good chance of being named an All-Star during this contract, he averaged 20/6/3 as a 21 year old and seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

Tons of guys can average 20 if given the freedom to post a .511 TS% in the process. If he wasn’t the least efficient 20 pt scorer in the nba last season (I’m betting he probably was) then it’s a very short list of guys who were worse

Second-to-last after Randle (#39 out of 40)

[Reign23]

absolutely love it. (hi Chanel)

[twolves31]

If RJ has a breakout season this year, this could be great value. 5 years from now, I lean this will be slightly more than he is going to be worth, but not too outrageous. Maybe he outplays this contract, maybe he under performs, I think it's too early to say for sure on him.

[GSWFan1994]

As a Knicks fan I hope you’re right. I have my doubts tho

As an aside, great name. The 94 warriors were one of my favorite teams of all time to watch. Rookie Cwebb, young Sprewell, Chris mullin. Enjoyed the heck out of that team. Barkley was just on another level in that playoff series though

Thank you.

I started following the NBA in 1991. Living in Brazil at the time, and in the pre-internet age, it was not easy to find games and news about the players. There were times when I knew about a trade 3 months later after it happened, lol.

But I thought that rooting for Jordan was like cheating, so I just followed the sports as a whole.

3 years later I decided to search for a team to follow more closely... Webber and Sprewell were definitely a huge factor for me choosing the Warriors. And I didn't change allegiance since then, even in the dark days.

I remember Barkley in that series. Played hard and took no bull from anyone. Simple and deadly combination for a great player, no?

Cheers.

[ConSarnit]

DMitch will be making $37 million in 2026, let's see if he's $17 million better than RJ by then.

Is RJ’s deal declining? If not there is no way there would be a $17m gap.

Either way, this deal seems ok.

First 2 years: probably overpay

Last 2 years: fair or underpay

If RJ is making $26m in 2025/26 when the cap is likely $150m that’s the equivalent of him making $20m today. I don’t think anyone should have an issue with him making $20m/year (or the future equivalent).

Barring disaster, the cap going up in 2025 will make this deal fair or even good value. I’m actually sort of surprised he didn’t get more.

Assuming the TV deal works out, more like 180-200 for the cap. That will make him under paid as long as he has normal progression.

Everything I’ve read/heard implies they’ll smooth the cap increase to avoid another giant jump like in 2016, which screwed both the league (Durant to GSW) and the players who weren’t free agents in 2016. The cap might get to $180m but RJ’s deal will be over before that point.

[Zenzibar]

As a Knicks fan who is not an RJ fan at all and is tired beyond belief of the kid gloves Knicks fans treat him with, at least now this will alter the lens through which he is viewed. He’s no longer the warm and fuzzy home grown pick, getting his name chanted by 20,000 at MSG every time he farts, who gets a pass for inefficiently chucking his way to 20 ppg: unable to shoot off the dribble or finish in the paint… He’s now the 30 mil per year player (or marginally less based on incentives) who is going to have to deal with expectations. The conversation is going to shift pretty quickly. It’s a win for my sanity if nothing else

[dhsilv2]

Is RJ’s deal declining? If not there is no way there would be a $17m gap.

Either way, this deal seems ok.

First 2 years: probably overpay

Last 2 years: fair or underpay

If RJ is making $26m in 2025/26 when the cap is likely $150m that’s the equivalent of him making $20m today. I don’t think anyone should have an issue with him making $20m/year (or the future equivalent).

Barring disaster, the cap going up in 2025 will make this deal fair or even good value. I’m actually sort of surprised he didn’t get more.

Assuming the TV deal works out, more like 180-200 for the cap. That will make him under paid as long as he has normal progression.

Everything I’ve read/heard implies they’ll smooth the cap increase to avoid another giant jump like in 2016, which screwed both the league (Durant to GSW) and the players who weren’t free agents in 2016. The cap might get to $180m but RJ’s deal will be over before that point.

I know the league wants that. But they wanted it last time and lost that argument.

Cap this year is 133 million. It will be 135-145 the next year. Lets assume 4% growth all else equal for a second. RJ is locked in already for next year so his for years are 24-27. So the last 2 years are on the new deal. Using that 4% we should have the baseline cap at 155 and 160 roughly. The new deal is projected at 2-3x the current deal and the tv deals make up roughly half of BRR.

For the simplest of math that's an increase of 80 million to the cap. Smooth that over 4 years. That would be an increase of 20 M in year 1, which each year getting an extra 20 + whatever additional growth happens.

So my 180 low end is showing it being smoothed. The top end could actually be more like 230.

[Zenzibar]

As a Knicks fan I hope you’re right. I have my doubts tho

As an aside, great name. The 94 warriors were one of my favorite teams of all time to watch. Rookie Cwebb, young Sprewell, Chris mullin. Enjoyed the heck out of that team. Barkley was just on another level in that playoff series though

Thank you.

I started following the NBA in 1991. Living in Brazil at the time, and in the pre-internet age, it was not easy to find games and news about the players. There were times when I knew about a trade 3 months later after it happened, lol.

But I though that rooting for Jordan was like cheating, so I just followed the sports as a whole.

3 years later I decided to search for a team to follow more closely... Webber and Sprewell were definitely a huge factor for me choosing the Warriors. And I didn't change allegiance since then, even in the dark days.

I remember Barkley in that series. Played hard and took no bull from anyone. Simple and deadly combination for a great player, no?

Cheers.

Mullen came from Queens and briefly attended my high school for 1 year. He would smoke anyone with that lefty jumper and would make bajillians of dollars if playing in today's game.

[GSWFan1994]

Mullen came from Queens and briefly attended my high school for 1 year. He would smoke anyone with that lefty jumper and would make bajillians of dollars if playing in today's game.

You must have great memories from that time frame, I'll bet on that! lol

Mullin had a short peak (compared to other all-time greats), but he was absolutely amazing in that years... very good player to watch, fantastic IQ, great competitor, made the most of what he had in terms of physical tools... a joy!

Cheers!

[One Last Shot]

Thats cheap. I remember reading his extension would be in the 210 range

Where did you see that? Other teams could've offered him 4/143M in free agency and the Knicks could've gone up to 5/193M.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/08/nba-maximum-salary-projections-for-2023-24.html

Ja, Garland and Zion signed Designated Rookie Extension that could reach $231M+ if they make All-NBA this season like Trae Young did.

Stats for comparison to Jaylen in their first 3 years in the league since a lot said it's a massive overpay



RJ Barrett

198 Games
17.5/5.6/3.0 shooting 41.8/35.7/70, 4.6 3PTA



Jaylen Brown

222 Games
11.2/4.0/1.3 shooting 46.2/36.5/65.8, 3.2 3PTA



JB was the best player for the losing team last NBA Finals in his 6th year. Let's see how RJ develop in the next few years but for now I think it's a great deal for Knicks.

[Raps in 4]

Huge overpay that's based purely on potential. He hasn't shown nearly enough at the NBA level to warrant that contract.

[Bob Ross]

Anytime the Knicks sign anyone: OVERPAY

[madmaxmedia]

Tons of guys can average 20 if given the freedom to post a .511 TS% in the process. If he wasn’t the least efficient 20 pt scorer in the nba last season (I’m betting he probably was) then it’s a very short list of guys who were worse

I know Jules, and I agree with you. I know RJ's lack of efficiency.

However, I think he's still young enough to improve in that aspect of his game.

As with many young players, if they fix one single issue, the floor would open up a lot more for them.

I remember when Paul George was in his 2nd season in Indiana. I remember watching him and thinking, "if this guy somehow improves his ballhandling, he will be an All-Star"... and guess what, he did.

Similar to Billups back in the day when he was getting traded seemingly almost every other year.

There are countless examples of that happening throughout the NBA's history.

I think Barrett will eventually reach All-Star/borderline All-Star status (= a top 25 player in a given year).

Not saying he will be a superstar, franchise player or anything like that. I just think that, based on past production, tools, age and what little we have seen about his character, he has another jump in him, productivity-wise.

Cheers.

As a Knicks fan I hope you’re right. I have my doubts tho

As an aside, great name. The 94 warriors were one of my favorite teams of all time to watch. Rookie Cwebb, young Sprewell, Chris mullin. Enjoyed the heck out of that team. Barkley was just on another level in that playoff series though

Do you think his shooting improves just from better teammates? (Brunson, potentially Mitchell) I haven't seen enough of him at all to have any opinion. His 2nd year shooting numbers bumped up nicely from rookie year with slightly higher usage, then went down last year with another bump in usage. So maybe some improvement is not too much to expect, especially if he's taking ~16 FGA per game.

[bronxknicksfan1]

Good deal for the Knicks. I thought Barrett would get the max based on being a high pick and potential relative to production.

I think he has a good chance of being named an All-Star during this contract, he averaged 20/6/3 as a 21 year old and seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

Tons of guys can average 20 if given the freedom to post a .511 TS% in the process. If he wasn’t the least efficient 20 pt scorer in the nba last season (I’m betting he probably was) then it’s a very short list of guys who were worse

We didn’t see RJ have any true freedom until post All Star break when he was averaging 24.5/6.2/3.8. Even if it was inefficiently, not a ton of players are doing that. Especially with Alec Burks as their PG.

[bisme37]

I like RJ. This seems like a solid deal for both sides. Congrats to him and the Knicks.

[Bankai]

Gone are the days when $15-$20 Million were Max Deals for All Stars and Superstars. Remember when everyone thought Kobe's $30 Million per was insane?

[Chanel Bomber]

absolutely love it. (hi Chanel)

Hi

[taikibansei]

I know Jules, and I agree with you. I know RJ's lack of efficiency.

However, I think he's still young enough to improve in that aspect of his game.

As with many young players, if they fix one single issue, the floor would open up a lot more for them.

I remember when Paul George was in his 2nd season in Indiana. I remember watching him and thinking, "if this guy somehow improves his ballhandling, he will be an All-Star"... and guess what, he did.

Similar to Billups back in the day when he was getting traded seemingly almost every other year.

There are countless examples of that happening throughout the NBA's history.

I think Barrett will eventually reach All-Star/borderline All-Star status (= a top 25 player in a given year).

Not saying he will be a superstar, franchise player or anything like that. I just think that, based on past production, tools, age and what little we have seen about his character, he has another jump in him, productivity-wise.

Cheers.

As a Knicks fan I hope you’re right. I have my doubts tho

As an aside, great name. The 94 warriors were one of my favorite teams of all time to watch. Rookie Cwebb, young Sprewell, Chris mullin. Enjoyed the heck out of that team. Barkley was just on another level in that playoff series though

Do you think his shooting improves just from better teammates? (Brunson, potentially Mitchell) I haven't seen enough of him at all to have any opinion. His 2nd year shooting numbers bumped up nicely from rookie year with slightly higher usage, then went down last year with another bump in usage. So maybe some improvement is not too much to expect, especially if he's taking ~16 FGA per game.

Yes, I think it does. RJ is not a consistent creator on offense, and really should never be the first or second option. If I were the Knicks coaching staff, now that we have Brunson--our best pg in years--I'd be making sure RJ works on taking (and hitting) catch-and-shoot 3s. (I.e., what the Warriors coaching staff did with Wiggins--to great result.) Just improving in this one area will help a lot.