Atlanta Hawks veteran Vince Carter says New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett is the “one guy that I’m kind of excited to see how he turns out.”
The Knicks selected Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke.
“But there are a lot of great rookies out there. It’s easy to say Zion [Williamson] and [Ja] Morant. I got the opportunity to have a conversation with R.J. Barrett, so I’ve gotten to know him well,” Carter said, via Cody Taylor of Rookie Wire. “To see his hunger and desire to be a good player and his willingness to learn, his willingness to ask questions, he’s one guy that I’m kind of excited to see how he turns out.
“Atlanta has drafted some pretty good rookies that have had great college careers. I’m just interested to see these top five guys, top eight players who are really talked about. I’m just interested to see them. Obviously, wherever I play, I’ll get the opportunity to see that rookie play more. But obviously we’re going to see Zion everywhere, and we’re going to see Morant everywhere as well. We’re all going to be tuned in just like everyone else.”
RJ Barrett averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists at Duke while shooting 45.4 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from beyond the arc and 66.5 percent from the free-throw line.
The Knicks have surrounded Barrett with tough-minded veterans who won't be afraid to challenge him in the NBA. Barrett had an up-and-down Summer League showing in Las Vegas, but he finished strong by putting up 21 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists against the Washington Wizards in his final game.
Knicks fans are hoping Barrett doesn't turn out to be a lefty version of Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins, who hasn't lived up to the hype of being a No. 1 overall pick.
Both Wiggins and Barrett are volume scorers who struggle with being efficient.
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