UPDATED 06/10/19 5:38 p.m. ET: RJ Barrett says he has his sights set on the New York Knicks and that it's "the place I want to be." Barrett also said he has no plans to meet with other teams.
RJ Barrett says he isn’t working out for any other teams and wants the Knicks to draft him at No. 3
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The Knicks have a shot at RJ Barrett as the No. 3 pick, which isn't bad but also isn't Zion Williamson. The franchise's unpredictable draft history continues with New York potentially trading backwards with Atlanta.
ESPNreports that the Knicks are considering swapping their third pick with the Hawks' No. 8 and No. 10 drafts. Although Barrett is one of the organization's favorites, New York has been eyeing Duke forwardCam Reddish and Texas Tech guard Jarrett Culver. Both were predicted to fall outside of the top three.
The idea is one of many Knicks possibilities floated around for this offseason. New York was assumed to be planning on packaging away Barrett for the Pelicans' Anthony Davis, though that may be a stretch because—again—Barrett is not Zion. Regardless, fans are frothing to see if New York can grab either Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving as they head into free agency. Optimistically, the Knicks have a chance at signing both. Trading away Kristaps Porzingis earlier this year allotted New York with two max contract slots.
Meanwhile, Barrett seems fine with being a Knick. ESPN reports that the Grizzles were also looking to get Barrett, but he turned down the opportunity to work out for them. Although he can revisit within the next three weeks, Barrett is said to be excited about landing in New York.
