The New York Knicks have been active this summer, most notably signing Jalen Brunson to a $110 million deal to bolster their backcourt alongside RJ Barrett, a budding star. The third-year player out of Duke became eligible for an extension as of July 1st and has until the start of the 2022-23 season to sign a new contract, or else he becomes a restricted free agency next summer.

However, it appears there has been no traction on that front between Barrett and the Knicks, with the October deadline looking like a realistic timetable for him to sign a long-term deal. Via Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report:

The Knicks are not expected to come to any conclusion in conversations on an RJ Barrett extension this far in advance of the October deadline, sources said.

This shouldn't be a concern to Knicks fans. Barrett has made it clear he loves playing for this organization and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The guard is eligible for a projected $185 million across five years, which means he'd get paid about $32 million per season. If his improvements over the years are any indication, Barrett certainly deserves it.

In 2021-22, the 22-year-old averaged 20 points, 5.8 rebounds, and three assists in 70 games. not only that, but RJ Barrett played lockdown defense on a nightly basis and was easily the Knicks' most reliable player on both ends in a rather disappointing season.

His averages across the board have improved each and every season and there is little doubt he'll continue to get better. It wouldn't be surprising to see RJ Barrett as an All-Star in the very near future, too. He's a cornerstone for this franchise and they need to treat him like one.