With the 2019 NBA Draft fewer than three weeks away, the New York Knicks plan to meet with RJ Barrett next week.
The New York Knicks are weighing their options as the NBA draft approaches. The front office is doing its due diligence by exploring trades and scouting multiple players, but RJ Barrett still appears to be the likely choice at No. 3.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Barrett plans to make a visit to the Knicks next week.
Duke forward RJ Barrett – the presumptive No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft – will make a visit to the New York Knicks early next week for meetings, medical evaluation and light court work, league sources tell ESPN. The Knicks are selecting third in this month's draft.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2019
The Knicks are in a fantastic position to have a successful offseason. Obviously, missing out on the first or second pick was difficult, but it was not a backbreaker for the organization. Of course, dreams of Zion Williamson in a Knicks uniform have been extinguished, but Barrett is one heck of a consolation prize.
Even though Ja Morant looks like the likely choice for the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 2, nothing is set in stone. Furthermore, this year’s draft class is regarded as a three-man class with Williamson, Morant, and Barrett. The Knicks are guaranteed a chance at drafting at least one from that trio.
The Knicks continue to weigh their options on the trade market as well. There has been some speculation that they could trade down with the Atlanta Hawks. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers are said to have “supreme interest” in Barrett. Trading down for draft capital seems strange considering the top-heavy nature of the draft class.
Of course, if the Knicks are serious about trading that pick they should use it as part of a package to acquire Anthony Davis. If the Knicks aren’t using the No. 3 pick in a trade for Davis, they should simply hold onto the pick and take Barrett. The meeting next week will be a major factor in what the Knicks plan to do in the next few weeks.
