League: NBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

RJ Barrett reflects on Knicks title while focusing on Raptors future

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 20, 2026, 7:20 PM

Last updated Sep 20, 2026

RJ Barrett reflects on Knicks title while focusing on Raptors future

Summary

RJ Barrett expressed mixed feelings regarding the New York Knicks winning the NBA championship while he was with the Toronto Raptors. Barrett, who was part of the Knicks from 2019 until a trade in December 2023, felt 'salty' about missing out on the celebration after the Raptors were eliminated in the first round by Cleveland. He acknowledged his emotional connection to the Knicks and noted he reached out to congratulate former teammates after their title win. Barrett's focus now shifts to the Raptors, who made a playoff appearance and pushed Cleveland to seven games this past season, indicating a positive trajectory.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Barrett was traded from the Knicks to the Raptors in December 2023.
•The Knicks won their first championship since 1973 in June 2026.
•The Raptors lost to Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs in May 2026.
•Barrett scored 23 points in the deciding Game 7 against Cleveland.
•Barrett remains in contact with former Knicks teammates after the title win.

Latest Updates

7:20 PMYahoo Sports — RJ Barrett Keeps It Real on Salty Knicks Title Reaction While Laying Down Raptors Goal

What they're saying

"
RJ Barrett has a personal connection to the Knicks that did not disappear when his career moved north of the border. That made New York’s championship celebration a complicated moment for the former No. 3 pick, who was watching from Toronto after the Raptors’ own season had already ended. The Knicks’ breakthrough also brought Barrett [...]
— Yahoo Sports

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