The New York Knicks and wing RJ Barrett are finalizing a four-year rookie extension that could be worth up to $120 million. This extension has put a serious strain on the potential trade that would have had the Utah Jazz send shooting guard Donovan Mitchell to the New York Knicks. While not impossible now, it seems the Knicks are unlikely to continue the trade talks. Barrett is the first member of the New York Knicks that was a first-round pick with the team to sign a multi-year extension after their rookie deal since Charlie Ward did in 1999. It ends a 23-year drought for the Knicks.
Barrett’s extension – which makes him the youngest $100M player in Knicks history at 22 — ends weeks of New York/Utah trade talks on Mitchell, and forces teams to start discussions over with significantly different deal parameters because of the Poison Pill provision.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 30, 2022
In his three-year career with the New York Knicks, RJ Barrett has averaged 17.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He paired those numbers with a field goal percentage of 41.8 percent and a three-point percentage of 35.7 percent. Each of his three seasons with the New York Knicks has seen him progress as a better player for the team. He is a key member of the franchise moving forward and this deal proves that.
Bonuses for RJ Barrett’s rookie extension are tied to All Star selections, selections to the 3 All-NBA teams & NBA All-Defensive teams, sources tell SNY. Sources confirm Barrett’s extension is for 4 years and worth up to $120 million, including those bonuses. ESPN 1st reported.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 30, 2022
The Donovan Mitchell trade could still happen, but the deal will not include RJ Barrett. It seems the two sides have stalled out and can not come to an agreement to make the trade happen. There is still time and we here at Def Pen Sports will report on it when and if it happens.
