New York Knicks swingman RJ Barrett is entering his sophomore campaign with a fresh new role under newly hired head coach Tom Thibodeau. The Canadian national will reportedly see more action playing in the small forward spot for the Knicks instead of being a guard.

Via Marc Berman of the New York Post:

According to sources, the Knicks coaching staff has a new vision for Barrett, turning him more into a small forward than shooting guard so as to give him less early-possession ballhandling responsibilities.

Former coach David Fizdale, stunningly, gave Barrett the opening-night start at point guard last season and it backfired.

Under former head coach David Fizdale, Barrett regularly played in the backcourt, including a stint at the point guard spot in last season's opening game against the San Antonio Spurs. The Kings youngster went on to conclude the 2019-2020 season with averages of 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 56 games played.

With new faces on the roster, Barrett won't be tasked to handle most of the playmaking duties for the team. The Knicks have Elfrid Payton, Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., and rookie Immanuel Quickley at point guard, with Alec Burks and Austin Rivers also in play in the backcourt.

The arrival of new guards coach Johnnie Bryant will also aid the sophomore's development throughout the course of the upcoming season. The assistant coach is coming off a six-year tenure with the Utah Jazz, where he helped mold Donovan Mitchell to become one of the best young stars in the league today.

Under a new system led by head coach Tom Thibodeau, RJ Barrett will hope to take the next jump as a player and emerge as one of the pivotal pieces that will help the Knicks on their rebuilding cause moving forward.