The Kings are working toward a deal with free agent forward Harrison Barnes that would be worth approximately $88MM over four years, according to Carmichael Dave of The Drive 1140 (via Twitter).
Marc Stein of The New York Times corroborates the report, tweeting that he has heard Sacramento plans to offer Barnes a four-year contract worth nearly $90MM when free agency opens on Sunday.
Barnes, 27, was traded from the Mavericks to the Kings at February’s trade deadline in the third year of the four-year, maximum-salary contract he signed with Dallas back in 2016. For the season, he recorded 16.4 PPG and 4.7 RPG with a .420/.395/.824 shooting line in 77 games (32.9 MPG).
Barnes had a player option for the 2019/20 season that would have paid him more than $25MM, but opted to turn it down. Based on today’s update, it’s clear why he went in that direction — if he and the Kings finalize an agreement in the four-year, $90MM range, it wouldn’t be quite worth $25MM annually, but it would give him substantially more long-term security than his option would have.
When the Kings acquired Barnes from Dallas during the season, reports indicated that the team viewed him as its answer at small forward. However, head coach Dave Joerger ended up frequently using his new acquisition at the four. Presumably, Sacramento’s front office and new head coach Luke Walton are aligned on how to best use Barnes going forward.
Even if they complete a deal with Barnes, the Kings should have significant cap room left over to address other positions, including center. Sacramento’s exact cap-room figure will hinge on what they do with potential restricted free agent Willie Cauley-Stein and non-guaranteed guard Yogi Ferrell, among others. But the club could theoretically get up to $40MM+ in space after signing Barnes.
The Kings have been linked to free agent centers like Al Horford, Brook Lopez, and Nikola Vucevic, as well as veteran point guard Patrick Beverley. They should still have the flexibility to pursue a center and Beverley after locking up Barnes.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Thats freking crazy
AGREED
I have a feeling that will be uttered many more times in the coming weeks.
Ironically, it’s a pay cut from the 4/$94 he received from Dallas. Unfortunately, those are the kind of players the Sac Kings I have to overpay because the top teir guys don’t really consider that a FA destination which is a shame really. They have some good players. One major star could do the trick. Barnes isn’t it but he might be the best they can do.
yeah – and I beat this drum all the time. The Warriors had a choice to spend the max contract dollars on Harrison Barnes or Kevin Durant- its not their fault the NBA pay structure makes no sense
Salary cap only hurts the players. Doesn’t do the desired effect of limiting wealthy teams, just makes it impossible for lower teams to improve.
Extremely crazy!
Why. My God. Just when you thought the Sac franchise had maybe turned a corner. A young brilliant backcourt, Bogdan, Bagley, and all that cap space, and you want to give 22 per year to Harry B??? Id rather sign a P Bev type and get some other quality depth pieces for that $22 million per season, and then add someone like a Horford
So you want to give Horford a 33yr old center on the downside of his career a 4yr 100M contract. (Reports are he already has a 4yr 112M on the table). He doesn’t fit the age or tempo of the team. No doubt he is solid. Barnes is only 27. He averages 16pts 5.5reb, plays solid defense and can shoot the 3. In the NBA this type of player gets paid. Also he fits the style of play the Kings like to play. Now trade a future protected first to the Rockets for Capela and that eats up roughly 38M of the 60M the Kings have. Go try and get a Tobias Harris, Khris Middleton, Malcom Brogdan. Use the exemptions and bring back Kofus as 3rd center and sign a Justin Holiday to be the backup PG. dump WCS and Frank Mason.
No one is giving the tickets first rounders for Capella. He’s a salary dump…
Way off. For a fast-past team, Horford would be one of the best centers available. But he couldn’t look forward to Barnes for helping out in the paint.
Barnes is clearly the weaker acquisition of the two. He is not even average, look at the stats. Not good, and this from a guy whose first priority is himself.
22 mil for Barnes is a deal when you consider Kent Bazemore makes nearly 20.
So they’re both mistakes.
HB must have some dirt on Adam Silver or something.
Overpay? For sure. But the cap is $110 million, and a lot of teams have money to spend. $20 million annual contracts aren’t going to be scarce this summer.
So summer 2016 taught teams nothing?
Translation- Harrison Barnes re-signs with SAC
It is a overpay, but one the Kings had to do. They were not going to get a top tier Free agent or a better option than Barnes. It would of been a major disaster if they looked at other options and failed to sign those options which is likely and also lose out on Barnes.
At the end, Barnes fits that unit perfectly and will do a fine job with the Kings, he is a big overpay and maybe could of gotten him a little less but it was not worth the gamble.
They dont really have anyone else at the 3 spot, and they also need help on defense. Barnes fits them really well. I thought so when they traded for him. Question I have is Bagley and Giles. I think they’re both 5s, so what do they do at the 4 beyond Bjelica? Giles may be able to play some at that spot, but Barnes may be their best answer there too. They need depth at that 3/4 spot
Bagley is a 4 and Barnes played a lot there even though he still rebounds like a 3. Barnes does not help a center as a 4.
He is also ranks 16th on the team in assists (2 pg with fulltime minutes).
So much for Sacto’s rise. Barnes does little, cares little. If they had a deal for Horford he might be reconsidering.
Bjelica is superior to Barnes in every category and is getting $6.8MM and will be backing up Bagley probably. Should have gone to Philly?
Last year Sacto was gunning for the playoffs, traded for Barnes and then declined.