The New York Knicks preferred not to give RJ Barrett a contract extension until at least mid-October and were even willing to hold off until the restricted free agency window on July 1, sources told Marc Berman of the New York Post.
The Knicks reportedly moved to extend Barrett once they caught wind that the Cavs were favorites to trade for Donovan Mitchell.
The team announced Barrett’s extension shortly before news broke of the Mitchell trade.
Berman adds that the Knicks were “shocked and disappointed” that they were unable to trade for Mitchell. There is also indication that the team never had a chance to offer its best deal before the Jazz agreed to the Cavs trade.
