Coach K: Can’t go wrong with RJ! Krzyzewski says Duke star ‘will flourish’ in NYC
Before Mike Krzyzewski analyzed RJ Barrett’s potential fit with the Knicks, the legendary Duke coach offered some caution. Apparently, other teams are very fond of Barrett. Maybe even enough to trade up.
“I’ve talked to the Knicks about RJ,” Coach K said Tuesday on his SiriusXM show. “And who knows with all the — some of these guys are really coveted by other teams, so they can throw packages up there for the Knicks.”
It was a timely comment as news broke that the Knicks had scheduled a Wednesday workout with Darius Garland, a sign they were at least preparing for the possibility of trading down from their third pick in the draft. Barrett is widely considered a top-3 prospect, but the Knicks also scheduled meetings with other players — including Garland, Cam Reddish and Jarrett Culver — who are slotted in the 4-to-10 range. Garland’s workout, which a source confirmed, is occurring just a day before the draft.
The Hawks have reportedly been trying to package the 8th and 10th picks in the draft, and the Pelicans could also dangle their fourth overall pick to maneuver up or down. But assuming the Knicks remain in their spot and Barrett is available, he’s the likely choice.
The 19-year-old could be the first Duke player drafted by the Knicks in the first round since Art Heyman in 1963 (first overall). Heyman was a disappointment with the Knicks because, among other things, his poor temperament.
Barrett, on the other hand, has been lauded for his maturity and ability to handle the spotlight. The Canadian international, whose parents both attended St. John’s, has pushed for the Knicks and rejected a workout with the Grizzlies, who own the second pick.
“R.J. will flourish here in New York. He wants to be here. He is so mature,” Krzyzewski said. “He just turned 19 last Friday, but he’s been a part of the Canadian basketball program since [he was] a little guy, always played up.”
Barrett’s weaknesses reside in his sporadic jumper, bouts of apathetic defense and cases of tunnel vision. But physically he’s a an elite who is gifted with the ball and versatile, a prototype for the modern NBA so long as the shot improves. Krzyzewski, who has coached a top-3 pick in the last five drafts, envisions a future star.
“He would start right away. He has the potential to be a doubledouble guy,” said the coach, who was in New York on Tuesday for the SiriusXM show. “He’s a great defensive rebounder, and if he gets the defensive rebound he can push, and he can play 1-through-4. Because he can pass too. As he grows, there’ll be times in this kid’s career where the triple-double will happen more than once. He’s a star. There’s no question. Beautiful, beautiful kid.”
Krzyzewski also referenced Barrett’s relationship with Zion Williamson as an indicator of humility. Barrett was a star his entire life but ceded the spotlight to Williamson at Duke.
“What says a lot about him is his relationship with Zion,” Krzyzewski said. “You know, the two of them could [have been] very jealous of one another, envious. [Instead] they became brothers. Literally. They love one another.”