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NBA Draft 2019: Predicting best first round picks 5 years from now

By Trenton Corn

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Rui Hachimura reacts after being drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Washington Wizards during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Rui Hachimura reacts after being drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Washington Wizards during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 21: 3rd (Duke) NBA draft pick, RJ Barrett visits the Empire State Building as it hosts New York Knicks NBA draft picks on June 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 21: 3rd (Duke) NBA draft pick, RJ Barrett visits the Empire State Building as it hosts New York Knicks NBA draft picks on June 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images) /

RJ Barrett

Coming out of high-school RJ Barrett was the number one recruit, and was considered by many to be the number one pick in this years draft last year at Duke, until Zion Williamson’s coming out party.

Barrett put up 22.6 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, and 4.3 assists per game last season for the Duke Blue Devils.

The 6’7 202 pound Barrett, who along with his teammate Zion Williamson, wont be pushed around as a rookie thanks to his NBA ready frame.

Barrett could be the Knicks point guard with his ball handling and passing ability, and could easily fit in as the teams off ball guard if the team were to bring in Kyrie Irving.

As I talked about with Zion and Ja Morant, the talent that RJ Barrett could have at his exposal after this summer could be immense with the Knicks being a favorite to land Kevin Durant, and could also very well bring in Kyrie Irving as well with two max salary spots open.

If the Knicks get Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Barret is in a good situation. He can play at the two guard position, and won’t have the pressure on him to carry a team like the two players taken above him. Durant and Kyrie could also bring Barret’s game to a whole other level thanks to the amount of talent around him.

If the Knicks fail to land either Durant or Irving, Barrett in my opinion is still in a good situation. The Knicks have a good young core with Dennis Smith Jr, Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, Emmanuel Mudiay, Frank Ntilikina, and Mario Hezonja. With added pressure, Barrett would be given the keys to the teams offense, and be the teams go to guy.

With two superstars potentially on the way, and young talent already there, RJ Barrett will be in a good position to succeed in New York.

Barrett has proven he can be the primary ball handler for an offense, as he has shown his ability to pass the ball and make plays. He has also shown how he can be the go to guy for a team with his offensive versatility. He can be a guy the team can rely on to make plays around Kyrie and KD, and also has the potential to be able to carry a team.

RJ Barrett in my opinion is the safest bet out of any of the players picked in the top three, and also possesses the potential to still be the best player to come out of this draft class.

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