RJ Barrett Opens Up About Knicks Trading Him To Raptors

During an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, RJ Barrett opened up about getting traded by the New York Knicks to the Toronto Raptors.

Barrett was shocked the Knicks traded him, but he was happy he was sent to the Raptors, the team he grew up rooting for.

“I had no clue,” Barrett said. “I just got the call when it happened. I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I was so confused. I didn’t see it coming. When he (agent Bill Duffy) told me the Raptors, I was like, ‘OK, at least I’m coming home.'”

Barrett was born and raised in Toronto. The lefty has played very well since the trade, averaging 21.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Raptors.

“I’ve felt good since game one, personally, offensively,” Barrett said. “I’ve been feeling like I’ve been playing very well. I didn’t really score the ball in a crazy way the first three games, but I’ve been efficient in trying to play the right way and help my teammates. A lot of learning going on, still learning the defensive system, trying to get better at that every day.”

The Knicks drafted Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke. Barrett finished his New York career with averages of 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks.

“I helped build something in New York,” Barrett said. “When I came there we weren’t good. I left it a lot better than when it started. Definitely bittersweet, but I’m happy for those guys over there. They are happy about the trade they made and I wish nothing but the best for them. I grew up as a player and a person over there in New York. Those 4½ years, I will never forget.”

Barrett signed a four-year, $120 million rookie scale extension with the Knicks in September 2022. He’s making $23.9 million this season.