Despite his struggles from the three-point line this season, it’s hard to say that RJ Barrett didn’t take a step forward in his development. One of the biggest reasons why was his production during the postseason. After a concerning first couple of games against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, Barrett truly bounced back during the team’s remaining run.
He quickly became one of the key parts of the Knicks’ success in the playoffs. Aside from Jalen Brunson, Barrett emerged as the second-most consistent player for New York in the postseason. During just his second playoff run with the team, Barrett averaged 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 43% shooting from the field.
At just 22 years old, it’s easy to see how Barrett is emerging as a key foundational piece for the Knicks. Even though there are still areas of his game that need fine-tuning, he has made strides over the last couple of seasons and has proven that the playoff spotlight is not too bright for him. I’m not sure you can say that about every player on this roster.
is essentially over</a>. The signs have been rather clear since he was removed from the rotation earlier this season. He only appeared in 27 regular season games for the team and wasn’t turned to at all during the team’s postseason run — that’s quite telling.</p>
<p>Fournier is a likely trade candidate heading into the offseason and has just one more guaranteed year left on his contract. He does have a team option for the 2024-25 season, however. With the Knicks looking to make a big move during the offseason, you’d have to assume that Fournier’s contract will be used to help facilitate that.</p>
<p>Whether or not the Knicks can find the right deal for him remains the be seen, but it’s clear that his time with the team is basically over. Fournier played a key role for the Knicks when he was originally signed. He played his role and was the player the Knicks needed him to be at the time. As the Knicks head into a new era of basketball, Fournier is no longer needed.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/05/28/3-knicks-earned-untouchable-status-2022-23-4-cut-loose-randle-hart-quickley/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A Veteran Point Guard </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_138348" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-138348" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/05/28/3-knicks-earned-untouchable-status-2022-23-4-cut-loose-randle-hart-quickley/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2023%2F01%2F1441514472.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Derrick Rose" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/01/1441514472.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/01/1441514472-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Derrick Rose, New York Knicks. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h3>New York Knicks that should be cut loose: Derrick Rose</h3>
<p>It was at least a bit surprising that the New York Knicks didn’t trade Derrick Rose at the NBA Trade Deadline, but it would be even more shocking if he were still on the roster heading into next season. Rose has a team option for next season and that could be used as an asset for the team to use via trade this offseason, and perhaps that could be part of the reason why New York elected to keep him on the roster beyond the trade deadline.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
<div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_142185" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/DailyKnicks/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet")
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.enableServices();
googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet");
});
</script>
</div>
</div> </div> </div>
<p>At the same rate, the Knicks and Rose could have a handshake agreement where he’ll be able to hit the unrestricted free-agent market. That could happen this offseason if the Knicks decline his option this summer. Maybe Rose wants to handpick his next destination and it would not be surprising if the Knicks do him right by declining his option.</p>
<p>Either way, there’s no longer a role for Rose to play on the Knicks heading into next season. He only appeared in 27 regular season games for the Knicks and was not in the playoff rotation for the team. At 34, he may still have a couple of years left to give to the game. I think it’s safe to say that it won’t be in New York.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/05/28/3-knicks-earned-untouchable-status-2022-23-4-cut-loose-randle-hart-quickley/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A Big Without A Clear Role </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_130232" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/05/28/3-knicks-earned-untouchable-status-2022-23-4-cut-loose-randle-hart-quickley/3/"https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2022/07/18007162.jpeg">
9 Players the New York Knicks gave up on way too soon</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="“9 Players the New York Knicks gave up on way too soon” — Daily Knicks" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/05/28/3-knicks-earned-untouchable-status-2022-23-4-cut-loose-randle-hart-quickley/3/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/03/20/9-players-new-york-knicks-gave-up-on-way-too-soon/embed/#?secret=WvK92m67y5#?secret=FMCiJufHg2" data-secret="FMCiJufHg2" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div><!—pageview_candidate—>">