The New York Knicks entered the 2023-2024 NBA season with a lot of hope. After an impressive playoff run the previous year, expectations were high. With the addition of Jalen Brunson, the re-signing of Julius Randle, and the development of young players like RJ Barrett, the team seemed poised to make a deeper run in the playoffs. However, as the season progresses, two of their biggest investments—Julius Randle and RJ Barrett—are becoming increasingly difficult to rely on, leaving the Knicks in a precarious position as they approach the postseason.
Both Randle and Barrett were supposed to be the cornerstones of the Knicks’ future. Randle, after a breakout 2020-2021 season in which he earned an All-NBA selection, was handed a long-term contract extension. Similarly, Barrett, the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, was expected to develop into the Knicks’ future star. However, despite the investment, these two players have started to fade when the team needs them most.
Let’s take a closer look at why the Knicks’ two biggest investments are disappearing at the most critical point in the season and what this could mean for the team’s playoff aspirations.
Julius Randle’s Struggles: From MVP Candidate to Inconsistent Star
Julius Randle was the Knicks’ best player in the 2020-2021 season, leading them to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and earning an All-Star appearance. His improved shooting, particularly from three-point range, was a major reason for his success. Randle had finally found a groove that made him the focal point of the offense. Following that campaign, the Knicks invested in him with a four-year, $117 million extension, solidifying him as the centerpiece of the team for the foreseeable future.
However, since that time, Randle’s performance has been a rollercoaster. In the 2021-2022 season, he struggled with consistency and took a step back, and his issues have persisted into the current campaign. While Randle still flashes moments of brilliance, his overall play has been marked by extreme inconsistency. At his best, Randle can take over a game, contributing 30+ points and pulling down rebounds at a high clip. However, at his worst, he is turnover-prone, forcing bad shots, and hurting the team’s offensive flow.
The numbers reflect his struggles. Randle’s shooting percentage has fluctuated, and his three-point shooting, once a strength, has been far less reliable in recent months. There have been several games where he has taken an excessive number of contested shots, and his efficiency has plummeted. As the Knicks approach a critical stretch of the season, these inconsistencies have become glaring. In some games, Randle has seemed disengaged or out of sync, leading to frustrating losses for the Knicks.
Randle’s defense has also been a point of contention. While he has the physical tools to be an effective defender, his effort and attention to detail have often been inconsistent. This has been particularly evident when the Knicks have struggled to close out games, as Randle’s lack of defensive focus has allowed opposing teams to exploit mismatches or create open shots.
The Knicks cannot afford Randle to disappear in the clutch. They need him to be the player he was in 2020-2021: a consistent offensive force who can both score and facilitate for others. But when Randle isn’t performing at a high level, it becomes difficult for the Knicks to rely on their offense to win games. The Knicks’ investment in Randle is now at a crossroads. Can he rediscover his form, or is this the player they have moving forward?
RJ Barrett’s Development: A Promising Talent Still Struggling for Consistency
RJ Barrett has been a foundational piece for the Knicks since being drafted third overall in 2019. He showed signs of growth in his first few seasons, particularly with his scoring and ability to drive to the basket. Many believed that he would take a significant leap in his fourth season, potentially becoming the second star alongside Brunson. However, as the season wears on, it’s clear that Barrett’s development has stalled at a crucial moment.
One of the biggest concerns with Barrett has been his inability to be consistently effective on the offensive end. While he has had some impressive scoring outbursts, his overall efficiency has been problematic. His shooting percentages have remained low, especially from beyond the arc, and he has struggled with decision-making in key moments. Barrett’s scoring output has been inconsistent—one game he’s scoring 20 points, and the next he’s shooting below 35% from the field. In many ways, his play has been a microcosm of the Knicks’ offensive struggles.
Barrett has also faced criticism for his lack of improvement in key areas. He was expected to become a more reliable playmaker and develop a more efficient jumper, but those improvements have been slow to materialize. His struggles to create his own shot and contribute in meaningful ways when the Knicks need it most have become more apparent as the season has progressed.
One of the most frustrating aspects of Barrett’s development is his inability to rise to the occasion during critical moments of the game. While the Knicks have occasionally leaned on Brunson in clutch situations, Barrett has often been a passive participant in these high-leverage moments. Instead of asserting himself, he can be seen deferring to others or making poor decisions when the pressure is on.
While Barrett is still young and has the potential to improve, the lack of tangible growth in his game has raised doubts. The Knicks’ investment in Barrett, through both his contract extension and the faith the team has placed in him to be a key contributor, is now under the microscope. The team is relying on him to take the next step, but he has not yet shown the consistency needed to be a legitimate second option on a playoff-caliber team.
The Impact on the Knicks’ Playoff Push
The Knicks are fighting for playoff positioning in the crowded Eastern Conference, but their two biggest investments are letting them down when it matters most. While Jalen Brunson has been the steady hand guiding the team through the season, he cannot carry the entire load by himself. For the Knicks to make a legitimate run in the playoffs, they need Randle and Barrett to step up, and both have been disappointing in key moments.
The team’s inability to rely on these two players in crunch-time situations is becoming increasingly evident. Opponents know that if they can shut down Brunson, the Knicks’ offense can sputter. Without Randle’s consistent scoring and Barrett’s development as a two-way threat, New York’s playoff aspirations may be in jeopardy.
For head coach Tom Thibodeau, the situation is even more challenging. Thibodeau is known for his defensive-minded approach, but he also requires his star players to perform on the offensive end. If Randle and Barrett continue to fade under the pressure, Thibodeau will need to find new ways to adjust his lineups and find consistency elsewhere.
What Needs to Happen for the Knicks?
The Knicks’ playoff hopes rest largely on the shoulders of Randle and Barrett. For Randle, it’s about rediscovering his efficiency and making better decisions on the court. For Barrett, it’s about showing more consistency and confidence in his game. If these two players can find a way to elevate their performances, the Knicks could still be a dangerous team in the playoffs. However, if they continue to disappear when the team needs them most, the Knicks will face a long and difficult road ahead in the postseason.
In the end, the Knicks’ future hinges on the success of their two biggest investments, and if they don’t rise to the occasion soon, the team’s hopes for a deep playoff run may quickly fade.
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