Harrison Barnes says a reunion with Sacramento in free agency would be ‘special’

May 2, 2023, 7:39 AM | Updated: 7:52 am

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 20: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after a three poi...

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As Harrison Barnes left the podium following his end-of-season media availability, there was one clear takeaway from the forward’s press conference:

Barnes wants to remain a Sacramento King.

“I think there’s a lot of good basketball left to be played collectively with this organization. I’m proud of where we are,” Barnes told the media on Monday.

The 30-year-old said he is proceeding into the offseason as if he is a member of the organization and will do so “until told otherwise.”

Barnes, who was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in a trade deadline deal back on February 7, 2019, has spent more of his career in a Sacramento Kings jersey than anywhere else.

The 10-year veteran spent four-and-a-half seasons with the Kings, averaging 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range over 317 games (all starts).

Barnes played in 317 of 336 possible games during his time with Sacramento, meaning the forward played in 94.3% of his team’s games.

It wasn’t just his on-court presence that made Barnes an important piece of Sacramento’s road back to the postseason, but his leadership in the locker room around young players like De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, and Davion Mitchell.

“He was huge for me in just showing me how I needed to work to get to the next level,” Fox said of Barnes during his end-of-season press conference. “Just seeing the way that he worked has made my work ethic that much better, which I feel like has what gotten me to this point.”

Could a return be in the cards for Barnes? Anything can happen during an NBA offseason, but Barnes made it clear that he would like to return and continue to be a part of what this up-and-coming Kings team is building.

“It would be special. I mean, I have equity here in Sacramento,” Barnes said. “We know it’s a business and a lot of things happen, but continuing on with this group would be special.”

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The free agency negotiating period doesn’t begin until June 30th, but teams can start conversations with their own impending free agents one day after the NBA Finals end in mid-June.

Barnes, who just wrapped up the final season of a four-year, $85 million deal, will likely be in the market for one more lucrative deal as he enters his age-31 season.

While it’s unknown what type of deal Barnes’ is said to be looking for, one can assume that it’s unlikely the Kings would look to sign the forward to any type of contract that would hamstring the franchise in making other moves in free agency.

Sacramento’s weaknesses were on display during their seven-game series loss to the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Rim-protection is needed. More stability in the bench unit. A legit third option that can compliment De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis while rookie forward Keegan Murray develops.

Retaining Barnes for a deal in the three-year, $45 million range could be beneficiaries for both sides, but it’s possible the Kings are already looking ahead at other options after the forward logged just 27 minutes of combined playing time in Games 6 and 7 of the playoffs.

Barnes’ free agency will be interesting to watch unfold, but there is no doubt that the Kings have benefited from having ‘The Black Falcon’ on the floor and in the locker room over the past four years.