Harrison Barnes‘ professionalism, his declining contract structure, and his strong play this season are all factors that make him an appealing trade candidate, but they’re also reasons why the Kings will be reluctant to part with him, writes Sam Amick of The Athletic.
A source with knowledge of Sacramento’s plans tells Amick that the club won’t be motivated to move Barnes without a “significant” offer. The Celtics have been frequently linked to the veteran forward, but Amick isn’t sure that a package made up of late first-round picks and young bench players would be enough to get it done.
The Kings also haven’t yet conceded that they will be sellers, Amick continues. If they do go that route, De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton would likely be the only truly unavailable players on the roster, but the Kings are still just 3.5 games back of a play-in spot, reducing the likelihood of a fire sale.
Here’s more out of Sacramento:
- Amick believes Nemanja Bjelica is perhaps the likeliest King to be traded, and hears from sources that the Pacers are among the teams to show interest in the stretch four. Amick also mentions Golden State, Boston, and Milwaukee, who have all been previously cited as potential suitors for Bjelica.
- According to Amick, the size of Buddy Hield‘s contract probably makes him even more likely to stay put than Barnes, for now at least. Amick also wonders any teams will make a “spirited push” for center Richaun Holmes, especially if the Kings are unsure about whether they’ll be able to re-sign him this summer.
- The Lakers continue to monitor Kings center Hassan Whiteside, reports Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. Whiteside has been previously identified as a possible Lakers target via trade or buyout.
- Kings coach Luke Walton said over the weekend that rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton will remain on a minutes limit for the next few games, as James Ham of NBC Sports California tweets. Coming off a calf injury, Haliburton logged 18 minutes on Thursday and 24 on Saturday — he had been averaging over 30 minutes per game prior to the injury.
If I was Sacramento I think I would say f*** it and start taking calls on Fox too. This team has been too subpar for too long and what’s the ceiling of team built around Fox and Halliburton in the West? They’re gonna being playing for the play-in until Fox is pushing 30
Time to sell off everything and stock picks then cross your fingers you get a Tatum, a Zion, a Simmons, or someone equivalent in one of the next few drafts
You never get value for a guy as good and young as Fox.
I think it’s closer to the opposite. More likely to get a good offer for him now, young and under contract, than when you’re backed into a corner by an expiring or trade demand.
I do not think Fox and Halliburton is truly untouchable
I have the list of “truly untouchable”
They are in the same category
Zion
Luka
Wall
Westbrook
I mean ya all 4 are ‘untouchable’ but two of those players are franchise players while the other two have absurd contracts no one wants to touch.
You really think LeBron, Kawhi, Embiid, and Giannis, among others, are ever really going to be on the block unless they choose to be? There are definitely more than just four “untouchables”. Right now Drummond is “untouchable”.
Bjelica is an 8th or 9th man. Bagley or Holmes to me are the guys that you can deal away from Sac. Boston would have a better chance going after those guys. Hield wanted to stay w Sac, so they paid him. It’s hard to attract talent to Sac town. They need a big guy like Townes or Ayton-esque. They need to fix rebounding and overall defense as they allow way too many pts in the paint. Maybe Walton ain’t cutting it
Huh? Hield has been trying to get out of town for a long time now.
I’m sure they’re just blowing smoke about being ‘reluctant’ to part with Barnes in order to drive his price up. I get that the Kings are dysfunctional, but they should be shopping him hard. He’s not part of their future plans (he’ll be 29 soon and it will be a few more years before the Kings are any good) and his trade value is higher than it’s been in a long time. If they have any sense, they’ll trade him.
Barnes can help a contender or franchise moving up. His contract is reasonable too. I can see Kings keeping him if they don’t get what they want. Why not overprice him. Got nothing to lose he will still be traded by draft if need be. He’s a hot commodity. Would love to see him back in GS. Whiteside and Bjelica can bring back value. Whiteside is perfect forLakers lols.
How fast does Lebron try to murder Whiteside
Sacto is only at $94 for next year after dropping a couple of nonperforming contracts. Of course they can afford Holmes, probably their most productive player, and a good antidote to a carefree Bagley. Better medicine than Barnes is anyway. I would rather have Grant Williams than him.