Franz Wagner vs RJ Barrett

[durantbird]

Who's the currently better player?

[Statlanta]

I prefer Wagner but can understand a user taking Barrett for playing in more meaningful games

[Dutchball97]

EPM: Wagner +3.1, Barrett -1.4
LEBRON: Wagner +1.19, Barrett -1.99
RAPM: Wagner +1.94, Barrett -0.69
RAPTOR: Wagner +3.1, Barrett -2.5
BPM: Wagner -0.2, Barrett -2.9

There's really no argument here for Barrett.

[Amare_1_Knicks]

I haven’t seen much of Wagner, but from what i have seen and a quick enough glance at his advanced stats, seem to both indicate that he’s clearly better at this point in time. Barrett has been just about the worst (most inefficient) 19-20PPG scorer in the league that past two seasons, and he is not a good defender to make up for that. There’s a considerable gap between the two in terms of efficiency. The Knicks are better when RJ sits, Orlando is better with Wagner on the floor.

RJ is a very inconsistent offensive player and a sub-par, though improved, FT shooter.

[Colbinii]

Weird thread. Wagner is already a solid-to-good starter in terms of his capabilities, skill-set and defensive prowess. R.J. Barrett is a low-end starter.

[capfan33]

I thought Barrett was overhyped out of college, never liked his game, so I would probably go Wagner here but have watched very little of either.

[rk2023]

I prefer Wagner but can understand a user taking Barrett for playing in more meaningful games

?

[BIGJ1ER]

Funnily enough, the Knicks without RJ are a sleeping Giant in the East

Celtics with Tatum on the court: +8.1 per 100
Bucks with Giannis: +7.9
Sixers with Embiid: +8.7
Knicks with RJ OFF the Court: +10.2

RJ is living off pre draft hype, the on-court results have been abysmal.

[durantbird]

Funnily enough, the Knicks without RJ are a sleeping Giant in the East

Celtics with Tatum on the court: +8.1 per 100
Bucks with Giannis: +7.9
Sixers with Embiid: +8.7
Knicks with RJ OFF the Court: +10.2

RJ is living off pre draft hype, the on-court results have been abysmal.

Where are those stats from? Can't find on basketball-reference.com

[Woodsanity]

Funnily enough, the Knicks without RJ are a sleeping Giant in the East

Celtics with Tatum on the court: +8.1 per 100
Bucks with Giannis: +7.9
Sixers with Embiid: +8.7
Knicks with RJ OFF the Court: +10.2

RJ is living off pre draft hype, the on-court results have been abysmal.

I am an RJ hater, I really wish we dumped his overrated ass for Mitchell.

He is not a good player. Knicks fans have bashed Randle who is 10x better.

[capfan33]

Funnily enough, the Knicks without RJ are a sleeping Giant in the East

Celtics with Tatum on the court: +8.1 per 100
Bucks with Giannis: +7.9
Sixers with Embiid: +8.7
Knicks with RJ OFF the Court: +10.2

RJ is living off pre draft hype, the on-court results have been abysmal.

I am an RJ hater, I really wish we dumped his overrated ass for Mitchell.

He is not a good player. Knicks fans have bashed Randle who is 10x better.

It's funny, reading his scouting profile out of college, it was basically, 6-6 guard with good but not great athleticism, can't shoot, ok passer but not great, straight line driver and nothing to write home about defensively. I was like, why is there so much hype around this dude? Wish him the best of course, but both reading about him and watching him I've never seen the hype lol.

[Colbinii]

Funnily enough, the Knicks without RJ are a sleeping Giant in the East

Celtics with Tatum on the court: +8.1 per 100
Bucks with Giannis: +7.9
Sixers with Embiid: +8.7
Knicks with RJ OFF the Court: +10.2

RJ is living off pre draft hype, the on-court results have been abysmal.

Where are those stats from? Can't find on basketball-reference.com

It is likely cleaning the glass.

[TheSuzerain]

Funnily enough, the Knicks without RJ are a sleeping Giant in the East

Celtics with Tatum on the court: +8.1 per 100
Bucks with Giannis: +7.9
Sixers with Embiid: +8.7
Knicks with RJ OFF the Court: +10.2

RJ is living off pre draft hype, the on-court results have been abysmal.

Where are those stats from? Can't find on basketball-reference.com

Subtract his On-Off from his +/- on B-Ref

[TimeisIllmatic]

Wagner is better right now but Barrett can close the gap in the future if he puts the work in in developing a better jumper.

[NYKnickerbocker]

RJ had to improve his shot and passing and defense lol. As of now Franz is a solid notch above him as a player and can still get better. But if everything clicks for RJ and the light bulb comes on. He can be a perineal all star. Don’t think that’ll happen tho

[ronnymac2]

Unfortunately, I see no reason to take RJ. I don’t know much about Wagner’s game, but it isn’t possible for Barrett’s defense to give him a meaningful edge against another NBA player. Offensively, Wagner seems more consistently competent and additive, whereas Barrett is a below average offensive player with random bouts of goodness when his jumper turns on. He’s decent at foul draw and not turning the ball over much. That’s it.

It’s year four. I don’t foresee RJ getting much better than he is now. With Brunson and Randle, it’s not like his inefficiency can be explained away by having untenable USG%. I’d take Wagner this year and going forward. I hope and wish to be wrong.

[Duke4life831]

Ya dont see how you can make an argument for RJ here. Honestly not sure there is a major aspect of the game I would give RJ the edge over Wagner. So ya I think Franz is comfortably the better player currently, while also having the higher ceiling.