Even though the New York Knicks’ plan of drafting Zion Williamson during the 2019 NBA Draft failed, they still ended up with a high pick that netted RJ Barrett. At that time, the Duke standout was the best prospect available at the third pick, after Williamson and Ja Morant, who went second to the Memphis Grizzlies. A couple of picks later, the Miami Heat selected Tyler Herro from the University of Kentucky.
His selection, along with the acquisition of Jimmy Butler from the Philadelphia 76ers, ultimately made Miami a serious contender in the East, as evidenced by their surprising run to the finals last season.
On the other hand, RJ Barrett’s stock went down during his first season in the league. While most folks expected him to dominate from day one, that didn’t exactly happen because of a number of factors, foremost of which was his poor shooting. Moreover, the decision to give veterans more usage and minutes affected the development of Barrett.
This season is a different story altogether for both Herro and Barrett. For one, the Knicks are finally showing flashes of their potential, thanks to Julius Randle’s All-Star performance and Tom Thibodeau’s effort to build a winning culture. The Heat, meanwhile, have been ravaged by injuries and absences from their key players, causing them to tumble in the Eastern Conference’s standings.
Taking those factors into consideration, which of these two second-year players is the better investment for card collectors?
The case for investing in RJ Barrett
It’s always a treat to see Barrett barrel down the lane or get around his defenders to get a bucket. It’s almost like an art to see this sophomore player slash to the rim.
Athleticism is definitely one of Barrett's greatest strengths. Thanks to this skill, the third pick of the 2019 NBA Draft has increased his points per game from 14.3 to 17.8. He’s also using his physical tools to grab more rebounds, dish out more assists, and make more trips to the foul line.
Barrett’s athleticism has also allowed him to take a more prominent role on the Knicks. As it stands, he’s considered his team’s second-best player behind Randle. Barrett’s continued improvement under the tutelage of Thibodeau, especially with the use of his impressive athleticism, is going to bode well for his card stock.
Why you should steer clear from RJ Barrett rookie cards
If there’s one reason why fans shouldn’t invest in Barrett, it’s his shooting. Or to be precise, the lack of it.
Last season, Barrett only connected 40% of his 13 field goal attempts per game. He also drained 32% of his three-pointers, a clip that’s considered below league standard. This season is more of the same with a 43% field goal percentage and a 27% success rate from beyond the arc.
As a result, most defenses don’t account for him in the midrange and perimeter. His lack of shooting also worsens the Knicks’ spacing on the floor. If Barrett can’t improve this aspect of his game, he won’t be able to take a leap to the next level. This weakness will be bad for his card value down the line.
The case for investing in Tyler Herro
The primary force that’s driving Tyler Herro’s cards up is his shot creation. It’s this amazing ability to score from all three levels of the court which not only makes him a talented player on the court, it also makes him more popular among NBA cards fans.
This season alone, Herro is connecting 53% of his 8.8 two-pointers while averaging 17 points per game. While his three-point percentage regressed from 38% to 31% in the 13 games he played, he still impacts the game by creating more shot opportunities for his teammates.
A good example of Herro’s impressive shot creation was shown during a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 12. In that game, he scored 34 points in 39 minutes. Thanks to this ability to get buckets, Herro’s value in the card market remains consistently good.
Why you should steer clear from Tyler Herro rookie cards
Herro’s amazing run during the postseason made a lot of card enthusiasts excited about his stock. Unfortunately, the second-year guard isn’t performing consistently on the court.
In the 20 games Miami played this season, Herro was only available for 13 of them because of injuries and the league’s health protocols. While he’s consistently scoring in double-digits, his plus/minus rating per game tells differently.
In those 13 contests, Herro was a positive contributor in only five of them and had a negative plus/minus rating in the other eight contests. It’s this lack of consistency that will weigh down Herro’s card value in the market.
While Barrett’s athleticism helps him land an increased role in New York, it’s Herro’s shot creation that’s more valuable. As a result, the Heat’s point guard is a better investment than the Knicks’ shooting guard at this point. The wisest course of action is to keep a close on these two young stars and how they perform on the court to get an idea of how their cards will move in the market.
Follow Us
Subscribe