Marc Jackson would always call post ups for Barnes and let him "go to work". It wasn't amazing, but you could see how he would be a versatile 3 level scorer. There was a foundation there that you could feasibly see working. Barrett otoh, I guess you could say there's a foundation there attacking the hoop and maybe as a shooter, but he is also among the worst at the league at finishing in the paint. Maybe I'm watching the wrong games, but when you watch him play it doesn't look like he's getting to the hoop at will. It's not pretty and it's clear he's not a great athlete. It really does look like he's forcing garbage up. There are so many attempts that have no chance, but he just shoots anyways. I also think Barrett is really bad on defense despite having some reputation there. There's a reason why Thibs had Fournier guard the tougher matchups.
The numbers on Barnes don't really support what you are saying. He wasn't taking many shots at all and wasn't good in the midrange... even if RJ is a poor finisher at the rim he is getting there with great frequency and its a 60% shot and not a 40% shot... also allows him to get more fouls. I think there is clearly a foundation there of something that could be good. I think defense is comparable at age 21 too.
I think his percentages are ugly but a good offensive coach helps him turn one bad rim or floater range shot into a kick out. He turns one long or mid range jumper into a three... and it doesn't make him a superstar... but he becomes pretty solid with some mild improvement as a shot maker. I just think if you took Barnes or Brown at RJ's age and said go create and increase your volume that it might not look a whole lot different.
Anyways...it doesn't really matter. Point is, I don't think the decision to include RJ vs not include RJ is what you're making it out to me. I think the Jazz would lose significantly more picks/players if they choose to have Barrett. I am happy to take Barrett for the right price, but I think his price is more like a young budding superstar.
If those picks and players are really on the table then we won't choose RJ over them. Its quite simple. Ainge ain't falling for some bait and switch. If that's the price we don't do it... full stop. I can see a world where that isn't the price... and that's the only world we would do it imo.
The example packages I'd use are:
Non-RJ
3 unprotected picks from Knicks 23/25/27 and 3 protected picks they own... plus Toppin/IQ or Grimes/McBride (Knicks choice)
RJ package
2 unprotected picks 23/28 (allows them to make their second move), 2 protected picks plus IQ or Toppin (Knicks choice).
- salary filler is the same in both so Rose/Fournier... whatevs
So the RJ cost to us one unprotected pick, 1 protected pick and one of IQ or Toppin. It opens up the ability for the Knicks to move 24/26/30 for a second big trade... in scenario #1 they would have to use RJ and their 2029 pick to get a blockbuster done.
Do the Jazz prefer to get package #1 or #2?
Do the Knicks prefer to trade package #1 or #2?