Ben Stiller may wear his Knicks fandom on his sleeve, but when it comes to RJ Barrett, he’s keeping a soft spot.
The actor was live-posting during New York’s preseason blowout loss to Toronto, and early in the game he made his position on Barrett pretty clear: “Always happy to see RJ get buckets.”
Stiller said he pulls for Barrett no matter where he plays, though he drew one line in the sand. His approval, he made clear, applies when the scoring comes in the “preseason.” Barrett finished with 17 points in 23 minutes against the Knicks.
That take landed with other fans too. One wrote, “I am only happy for him in the preseason!”
Another pointed to Barrett’s professionalism, saying, “He's a pro in every way.” A Raptors fan chimed in as well, replying, “Thanks[,] Ben[,] appreciate your love for RJ here in Toronto,” to Stiller’s post.
Barrett ended up in Toronto on Dec. 30, 2023, when the Knicks sent him, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round NBA Draft pick to the Raptors for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn.
The move ultimately worked out for New York, with Anunoby helping the franchise capture its first championship in 53 years. His tip-in in Game 4 of the NBA Finals is already being talked about as one of the great plays in team history. Barrett, meanwhile, has settled into life with his hometown team; he was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
And he’s produced there, too. Barrett has kept his scoring pace close to what he posted with the Knicks, and during the 2025-26 season he averaged 19.3 points, 5.33 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
The Knicks took Barrett third overall in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke, after he had earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team and First-team All-SEC in 2019. Basketball runs in the family as well: his father, Rowan Barrett, played professionally and is now the general manager of the Canadian men’s national team.
In Other News...
James Wiseman May Have Forced His Way Into Knicks Final Roster Spot
James Wiseman arrived in camp on an Exhibit 9 deal, the kind of low-risk signing that usually reads more like an invitation than a guarantee. But as preseason has rolled on, the former No. 1 pick has given the Knicks reason to pay closer attention, especially after a double-double that added some real weight to his push for a roster spot.
The Knicks do not have many openings to work with, and the back end of the roster is still very much in play. Still, Wiseman has at least put himself into the conversation as a possible third center, and Mike Browns previous experience coaching him only adds another layer to a decision that could come down to fit as much as upside. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Roster Battle Took Shape In A Blowout Fans Can Ignore
The Knicks trip to Toronto was the kind of preseason loss that barely registers in the standings but can still matter in the back of the roster. New York fell to 0-4 with its top-seven players unavailable, leaving the game to serve more as an audition than an evaluation of the teams real rotation. From that angle, the focus turned to the active players who got extended looks, including Nickel, Eubanks and Wiseman, and what they showed in a game that was never really about the final score.
What made the night worth watching was less the blowout than the way it sharpened the roster conversation. The Knicks are still sorting through which fringe pieces can help beyond camp, and this matchup offered a clearer view of strengths and weaknesses than a typical preseason box score ever could. Even with the result fully detachable from the standings, performances like these can still leave a mark on how the final decisions get made. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Still Face One Roster Decision That Could Change Their Bench
With one roster spot still open, the Knicks are weighing a decision that could shape the balance of their bench heading into the season. The choice comes down to James Wiseman and Bruce Brown, two very different players who would fill different needs as New York rounds out the back end of the roster.
Browns experience and defensive versatility stand out as obvious selling points for a team looking to tighten up its second unit. There is also a path, at least in theory, for the Knicks to keep both if they work out a trade involving Pacme Dadiet and second-round draft picks before the season opener, which would give the front office a little more flexibility while leaving this final roster call unresolved. [Read more 🡒]