RJ Barrett of the Knicks drives past Trey Lyles of the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on Wednesday in San Antonio. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ronald Cortes
SAN ANTONIO — The Knicks spent the preseason trying to figure out who would emerge from the trio of points guards competing for the starting - or closing - role. And 90 minutes before the opening tip on opening night against the San Antonio Spurs, Knicks coach David Fizdale threw a curveball into the mix.
Rather than Dennis Smith Jr., who the Knicks had acquired in the Kristaps Porzingis trade; Frank Ntilikina, the 21-year-old lottery pick, or Elfrid Payton, who was signed as a free agent this summer with the idea that he would be given a chance to start, the Knicks opted for RJ Barrett.