The Knicks haven't retained certainly one of their first-round picks on a multiyear extension since level guard Charlie Ward, the Heisman Trophy successful quarterback who was drafted weeks after their loss to the Rockets within the 1994 NBA Finals.
If that looks as if a very long time in the past, contemplate the Knicks chosen 20 gamers within the first spherical over the 25 years between Ward’s choice and once they grabbed RJ Barrett third general in 2019, together with the just lately failed and shortly jettisoned lottery alternatives Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox.
In fact, of these 20 gamers, a number of had their rights dealt away on draft night time, and one (French massive man Frederic Weis, 1999) famously by no means appeared in an NBA sport. Additionally amongst that group, solely David Lee (drafted in 2005) and Kristaps Porzingis (picked in 2015) have been named to an All-Star crew whereas with the Knicks.
Barrett’s latest star-level surge ought to drastically enhance his odds of breaking that pattern and touchdown a multiyear extension, along with his offensive streak persevering with with 29 factors, eight rebounds and 6 assists within the Knicks’ comeback 131- 115 win over the Kings on Monday.
The previous Duke star already had his fourth-year possibility ($10.9 million) for subsequent season picked up final September, however the 21-year-old Barrett can be eligible to ink a five-year extension value as a lot as $181 million in July. If he’s not signed by October, he would grow to be a restricted free agent in 2024.
Getting into Monday’s win over the Kings in Sacramento, Calif., the lefty wing was averaging 28.8 factors over 5 appearances for the reason that All-Star break and 23.9 factors over 25 contests since Dec. 31.
If that surge continues over the crew’s remaining 17 video games, Barrett — who was netting 19.0 factors per sport general this season — conceivably might overtake Julius Randle (19.6) for the crew scoring lead.
“Clearly I’m higher at utilizing my power now. I’m watching a variety of movie to be simpler with sure drives and sure conditions,” Barrett stated Sunday night time in Los Angeles. “I acquired stronger and [I’m] studying the sport extra.”
Ward acquired a seven-year extension with the Knicks in 1999 after his preliminary five-year entry-level deal expired, however a protracted checklist of subsequent first-round picks — together with Channing Frye, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Jordan Hill, Iman Shumpert, Tim Hardaway Jr., Porzingis, Ntilikina and Knox by no means made it to a second contract with the Knicks.
The Knicks did re-sign Lee to a one-year deal after his rookie contract expired, however they despatched him to the Warriors in a 2010 sign-and-trade — touchdown him a six-year $79.5 million deal — for the forgettable return of Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, Kelenna Azubuike and two second-round picks.
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