As the Knicks did their background work on RJ Barrett this month, team president Steve Mills invited Barrett to his apartment to watch an NBA Finals game, along with his wife and Bill Duffy, Barrett’s agent. It was a cozy confab and a way to get Barrett into a different kind of environment.



It was only appropriate, though, that Mills and Barrett watched a game between the Warriors and Raptors. Both teams are where the Knicks want to be, and to get there, New York hopes to poach some of their stars. The Knicks’ pursuit of Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and high-profile free agents has been well-documented. Mills did not want to address the team’s free agency plans Friday, while introducing Barrett and second-round pick Ignas Brazdeikas.



“Today is not the day to talk about free agency,” he said.



Less than a week remains until free agency begins at 6 p.m. on June 30. Some things remain clear, while others are muddled for the...