It seems that the New York Knicks decision to give RJ Barrett a massive $120 million extension was a reactionary move after the team failed in trading for All-Star Donovan Mitchell and was not evidence of an organizational opinion shift on the young star.

The 2022 NBA offseason for the Knicks will once again be viewed as another failed attempt to land the star player they wanted. While in years past, they weren’t the favorite to secure game-changer talents like Lebron James or Kevin Durant, they had been perceived as the most likely landing spot for three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell. A player they had been rumored to covet for several years. However, despite having the assets to make a deal possible, the Knicks were bested by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Earlier in the week, reports came out that suggested talks between the Knicks and Utah Jazz had stalled, and the organization had shifted gears to finalize a long-term extension with Barrett. It was a surprise move that the organization had seemed in no rush to make for the last six months. But, a new report claims that the nine-figure contract the organization gave the 22-year-old was more a reactionary decision to make up for another failed pursuit of a star player.

Some in New York Knicks front office wanted to wait until next summer to re-sign RJ Barrett