Report: Kings Sending Signals That They Plan On Keeping Harrison Barnes
Feb 9, 2022, 1:46 PM | Updated: 1:46 pm
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the Sacramento Kings have been sending “more frequent signals” that the team plans to hold onto forward Harrison Barnes past Thursday’s 12pm PST trade deadline.
Barnes, 29, is the third-longest tenured member of the Kings behind De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III after being acquired in a mid-season trade during the 2018-19 season.
Over 51 appearances this season, Barnes has posted averages of 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.7 steals per game on 45-percent shooting from the field and 40-percent shooting from beyond the three-point line.
Barnes’ name has been heavily mentioned in trade rumors in the weeks leading up to Thursday’s deadline.
Following Tuesday’s trade that sent talented guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers in return for All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, it appears as if the Kings liken the idea of sliding Barnes, a versatile wing that can play the small or power forward positions, into the lineup with Sabonis and Fox.
Following Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota, Barnes seemed unbothered by trade rumors, even adding that he was looking forward to playing with Sabonis:
If the Kings were to deal Barnes, they would have little-to-no depth at the forward positions unless any return included help in that department. Not only is Barnes the best wing that the Kings have, he is now the team’s best outside shooter (40%) following the departures of Haliburton and franchise-leader in made three-point field-goals, Buddy Hield.
Of course, as we all have learned regarding deals like the Sabonis-Haliburton deal, trade decisions can pivot at the drop of a hat.
However, with less than 24 hours to go until the deadline passes, it appears as if the Kings are looking to soldier on through the final stretch of the season with Barnes in the fold.
