Knicks Players Under Most Pressure Entering 2022-23 NBA Season

The New York Knicks will enter the 2022-23 NBA season with expectations of competing for...something.

Maybe it's a playoff berth; maybe it's just a play-in tournament invite. Either way, the 'Bockers won't want a return trip to the draft lottery.

That puts pressure on this entire organization, as it's coming off a 45-loss letdown of a campaign. Still, the Knicks made multiple pickups this summer, and their incumbent roster has substantial room for development, so maybe they can make something happen.

When the 2022-23 marathon tips off, the following three Knicks will be under the most pressure to perform.

RJ Barrett

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 08: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 08, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Expectations for RJ Barrett have been enormous since the Knicks snatched him up with the No. 3 pick of the 2019 draft. He hasn't measured up to the hype yet.

To be clear, stardom could be in his future—it's just that he'll need to make several substantial leaps to get here. Oh, and if he could cover a lot of that ground during the upcoming campaign, he could position himself for a max-contract payday as a 2023 restricted free agent.

He's already a good player. He just pumped in 20 points per night and routinely punished defenders on his way to the basket. He also handled some of New York's toughest defensive assignments and typically emerged with at least a passing grade. His 2.0 triples were a career-high, as were his 5.8 free-throw attempts.

Still, he is lacking in the efficiency department and has yet to impress as even a secondary playmaker. He has to improve his close-range finishing and long-range shooting. He doesn't need to complete the good-to-great leap this coming season to score a max contract, but he at least needs to build a convincing enough blueprint that the 'Bockers believe he can eventually get there.

Jalen Brunson

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 22: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball during Game 3 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors on May 22, 2022 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jalen Brunson had a career year for the Dallas Mavericks in 2021-22. The Knicks bought all the way into that improvement and lured the point guard to the Empire State on a four-year, $104 million deal.

Clearly, he must have had some kind of campaign, right? Well...

He averaged 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per night. Those are decent numbers; they just aren't $104 million stats. The Knicks obviously believe he has another level in him, and he flashed a higher gear at times in Dallas, like when he piled up 27.8 points in the Mavs' first-round series win over the Utah Jazz.

Brunson earned his contract, but now he needs to live up to it. He hasn't surpassed Barrett as the franchise face, but Brunson should get second billing on the Madison Square Garden marquee. The Knicks need him to be a star, and with his 26th birthday fast approaching, they need him to make that jump sooner than later.

Julius Randle

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks in action against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Charlotte Hornets defeated the New York Knicks 125-114. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

After ascending to All-Star status in 2020-21, Julius Randle crashed back to reality last season. His numbers dipped across the board, and the Knicks fared a whopping 9.5 points worse per 100 possessions with him than without, per Basketball-Reference.

The year was rough enough to wonder whether New York might shop him around, particularly when 2020 top-10 pick Obi Toppin is up next on the depth chart. Yet, if the Knicks proceed with only one of these power forwards, it sounds like Randle is their choice.

"That the Knicks reportedly are willing to give up 2020 lottery pick Toppin is a sign of their belief Julius Randle can return closer to 2020-21 form when he was second-team All-NBA," Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote. "They are hopeful Randle will be in a better space mentally than he was in 2021-22."

It's possible the Knicks discovered it would be too tough to trade Randle and are trying to make the best of a tricky situation. Or they genuinely believe he can bounce back and play a featured role in their recovery. Either way, they'll be counting on him to deliver a huge campaign, and anything resembling a repeat of last season's struggles will be a colossal disappointment.