The Knicks and their fans spent months fantasizing about the potential of Zion in The Garden. Now his teammate is the expected pick at No. 3, with R.J. Barrett emerging as one of the most productive freshmen in NCAA history at Duke.
There are valid concerns about Barrett — ranging from his inconsistency to his approach — but there’s an undeniable pedigree. He’s the son of professionals, Steve Nash’s godson, and has produced at the highest level throughout his amateur career. He was the consensus No. 1 pick before the season began and Zion took over.
Barrett fits New York quite well. He’s a talented wing who can create shots, both for himself and others. He’s a shifty ball handler and fluid pull-up shooter, constantly pressuring the opposing defense. He also projects as an aggressive, versatile defender at the next level, assuming he’s engaged.