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Duke Basketball: RJ Barrett is major piece in upcoming wild NBA offseason

By Kevin Connelly

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Duke defeated Syracuse 75-65. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Duke defeated Syracuse 75-65. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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The NBA offseason is officially underway and a major piece in what will be a wild couple of months is the pending rookie and former Duke Basketball star, RJ Barrett.

This was set up to be one of the most unpredictable NBA offseason’s yet, then the NBA Finals happened.

Kevin Durant returned from a ‘calf’ injury to rupture his achilles in just 12 minutes played in Game 5. In Game 6, Klay Thompson tried to throw down a dunk, landed awkwardly on his knee, and suffered a torn ACL, leading to Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors winning the NBA Finals.

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All three of those players could become unrestricted free agents on June 30, but in the case of Durant and Thompson, it is very difficult to see both of them on the floor next season.

Pair that with the heavy rumors of Kyrie Irving planning to sign with the Brooklyn Nets and a potential Anthony Davis trade and the members of the 2019 NBA Draft class have become so important in the outlook of the 2019-20 NBA season.

Specifically, RJ Barrett is a major piece in deciding what may happen in the next week with a potential Anthony Davis trade.

Barrett is projected to be the No. 3 overall pick on Thursday, June 20, by the New York Knicks, but if the Knicks will make that pick, or retain Barrett is the real question.

Zion Williamson is going to be the No. 1 overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans and Ja Morant will be selected No. 2 by the Memphis Grizzlies. The Pelicans are obviously trying to move Davis and the Grizzlies are in no position to try and trade for him.

With the Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston Celtics as the teams most involved in trying to land Davis, he has said that he would sign a long term contract in either New York or Los Angles.

Meaning that the Pelicans, if they decide to trade the All-Star, must choose between RJ Barrett or another prospect in the draft like a Jarrett Culver or De’Andre Hunter.

Should the Pelicans ship Davis to LA or not trade him at all, RJ Barrett may have to be the top dog on the Knicks next season since Durant will be out for the entire season and Irving is leaning towards the other side of New York.

Regardless on what happens, RJ Barrett will leave his mark as a rookie in the NBA with whatever team he lands up on and he will make those teams that passed on him sorry that they did so.

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