RJ Barrett didn’t hide the fact that watching the Knicks win it all last season stung a little.
The Raptors forward, who was shipped from New York to Toronto during the 2023/24 season, told Donnovan Bennett of CBC Sports that he felt “a little salty” seeing his former team finish the job. Even so, Barrett made it clear he’s still pulling for the guys he used to share a locker room with.
“If anybody else were to win it (besides the Raptors), I’m happy they won it,” Barrett told Bennett. “You know, I still have friends over there.
I’ve called and checked on the guys, said congrats. One of the guys from the team (Trey Jemison) is actually on the Raptors now, so things are cool.
The mayor gave myself and (former Knick Immanuel Quickley) a shout-out. We’ll always have ties there.
Like I said, I’m very happy for them, but just hoping to bring some of that success over here.”
Barrett also opened up about the Raptors’ offseason move to bring in Kawhi Leonard, calling the chance to share a roster with the player who delivered Toronto its lone NBA title “surreal.”
“I’ve been a Raptors fan my whole life. I was getting ready for the draft when the Raptors won the championship (in 2019),” he said.
“When (Leonard) made the game-winner against Philly, I was jumping up and down. So from being a fan to now being able to play with him, that’s going to be so special.”
Around the Atlantic, there’s movement on the sidelines and in the front offices too. Drew Jones, who coached Raptors 905 for the past two seasons, is no longer with the organization, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. Noah Lewis, who had been a player development coach in Toronto, was announced in July as the new head coach of the Raptors’ G League affiliate.
In Philadelphia, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice took a close look at the Sixers before camp, including how much left Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has in the tank and five issues that could shape the season. Among the concerns: Joel Embiid’s and LeBron James’ availability, how the starting five will divide up the ball, and whether Philadelphia can count on either Adem Bona or Ariel Hukporti as its No. 2 center.
And in New York, the Knicks are making another staff addition. Ed Flynn, who spent the last three seasons as a video coordinator with the Pelicans, has joined Mike Brown’s staff and will serve as the team’s “challenge guy” in 2026/27, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.
Flynn’s official title is assistant coach/special situations, a source told Bondy. Brown had repeatedly praised Jordan Brink for handling those challenge calls before Brink left this summer for an assistant coaching job in Chicago.
In Other News...
Knicks Fans Should Be Watching Detroits Jalen Duren Drama Closely
Jalen Durens contract situation has become one of the more interesting offseason storylines in the East, and it is the kind of thing Knicks fans should keep an eye on even if it is not happening in New York. Detroit has reportedly put a five-year, $200 million offer on the table, but the discussion has not moved to the finish line yet, leaving one of the Pistons most important young players at the center of a tense waiting game.
If Duren remains unsigned, the ripple effects could reach well beyond one roster. The Pistons would be forced to navigate a major uncertainty around a key piece, and any delay could open the door to sign-and-trade possibilities or simply leave them dealing with a distraction all the way into next season. For the Knicks, a divisional rival getting stuck in that kind of limbo is the sort of subplot that can matter when the Eastern Conference standings start tightening up. [Read more 🡒]
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Marc Stein reported that Wisemans case may also be tied to Mike Browns comfort level with him, which adds another layer to a decision already complicated by Wisemans long stretch away from consistent game action. The Knicks do not need him to be a featured piece, but they do need to know whether he can be trusted as a usable depth option, and that is where this battle figures to get interesting over the next stretch of camp. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Starters Face One Huge Test In Their Title Defense
The Knicks are heading into their title defense with the same five starters at the center of everything, and that brings both comfort and scrutiny. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart all played major roles in the 2025-26 championship run, but repeating will depend on how well each piece fits once opponents spend a full season picking apart what made New York so tough.
Brunson remains the engine, but the bigger question is how the offense evolves around him so Towns, Anunoby, Bridges and Hart can all stay involved without the floor getting cramped. Harts shooting in the playoffs and the pressure on Bridges after the crosstown trade spotlight are among the issues that could decide whether this group looks like a champion again or just a team trying to hold onto what it built. [Read more 🡒]