New York Knicks’ 2020 NBA Championship Odds Improve After Drafting RJ Barrett

• Knicks draft RJ Barrett with third overall pick
• New York still linked to the biggest free agents this summer
• Is it worth taking a flier on the Knicks as a title contender in 2020?

Sure, it was geographically biased, but no one got a more rousing ovation than RJ Barrett did when the Knicks plucked the other Duke star with the third pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

??? CANADIAN DRAFTED ???
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With the 3rd overall pick… the @nyknicks select RJ BARRETT from Toronto, ON and Duke University! pic.twitter.com/JkQEBNlzuf

— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) June 20, 2019

Coincidentally, New York’s 2020 NBA Championship Odds got a jolt, with their average betting odds moving from +3000 to +2900.

2020 NBA Championship Odds

*Odds taken on June 21, 2019. Click the link in the table for the full list of teams.

With Barrett secured, do oddsmakers expect the Knicks to load up – enough that a wager might be in order? Let’s explore.

How High is Barrett’s Ceiling?

Perhaps no one in the nation averaged a quieter 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 45.4% shooting from the field (in his freshman year, no less), but such is the life when your teammate is the most touted pro prospect since LeBron James.

.@WindhorstESPN says the Knicks rejected all offers for the third pick because they think RJ Barrett is going to be a star player pic.twitter.com/GKkl8S9ZqT

— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) June 21, 2019

It’s an exciting time to see just what Barrett has to offer at the professional level, as he’ll get his first non-Zion shine. The comparison ceiling that Knicks fans should be aiming for is the freshly-retired Dwyane Wade.

Wade, like Barrett, had a questionable shooting stroke upon entering the NBA, but his top-tier athleticism and energy could not be denied. If Barrett establishes himself to that level, the Knicks are going to be in terrific shape.

First question RJ Barrett is asked at his introductory Knicks press conference: “Do you have big enough shoulders to carry this franchise?”

Welcome to New York, kid. pic.twitter.com/mXUDK38eXM

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 21, 2019

Better yet, if he can slide into a glorified third option or an out-of-this-world second option behind whoever comes to Gotham, watch out.

Who Else is Coming to New York?

New York’s summer blueprint has now moved to a 3.0 version, as Anthony Davis was dealt to the Lakers and Kevin Durant’s Achilles exploded in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors – his first game action in a month since sitting out with a calf injury on the same leg.

"There's nothing more that I can guarantee you than the Knicks pursuing Kevin Durant. This is not just my opinion, I have valid sources I've talked to in the last 12 hours that say nothing has changed. They kept tabs on the surgery and thought it was successful." — @criscarter80 pic.twitter.com/lZeDPOfn2y

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) June 13, 2019

KD is still a target, but he’s already been ruled out for the entire next season, certainly no help to the Knicks’ hopes in 2020. Kyrie Irving is tied to the New York area, but it’s still uncertain if it’s Manhattan or Brooklyn. There are other targets, like Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, Boogie Cousins and Tobias Harris.

Jay Williams on top-tier free agents like Durant and Kyrie says “I wouldn’t count the Knicks out yet”

Notes “Fizdale is one of the best coaches out there in the way he communicates with his players”

?: @GetUpESPN pic.twitter.com/5TY6b5iLdX

— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) June 20, 2019

While Durant and Kyrie together are instant title formula mix, take any two of those players, with a ceiling-level Barrett, and mix in a core of players that include Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr. and Mitchell Robinson, and you’ve got … something.

Should You Wager on the Knicks?

If the only player they acquired was a healthy Durant, then yes. That injury really is dream shattering in New York. A lot of other stuff is going to have to happen to put the Knicks into contention, but my gut tells me they’re going to max out Durant and let him sit, let Barrett develop into a stud, and let that cap roll over to next year, when they will truly be a player and title contender.

Till then, like we’ve said in the last few days, set your sights on the Lakers and Raptors this year.