The Nuggets are interested in Kings forward Harrison Barnes, a league source tells Mike Singer of The Denver Post. Singer suggests the price tag for Barnes is unclear, but multiple previous reports have indicated that Sacramento is expected to demand a significant return.
Barnes is one of a handful of combo forwards who has been linked to the Nuggets as of late. As Singer and Sam Amick of The Athletic point out, Denver seems to be in the market for a forward with some size who can match up against the likes of LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard in the postseason. Two of the Nuggets’ top defenders, Jerami Grant and Torrey Craig, departed in free agency during the 2020 offseason, leaving the team with a hole at that spot.
Here’s more on the Nuggets:
- The Nuggets remain interested in Aaron Gordon, and the Magic appear more motivated to move Gordon than the Kings do to deal Barnes, writes Singer.
- A source with knowledge of the situation tells Amick that there are conflicting views within the Nuggets organization on how strong an offer the team should be willing to make for Gordon. The possible inclusion of 2020 first-round pick R.J. Hampton is one apparent source of debate, Amick adds.
- Amick also observes that Gordon’s next contract could be cause for concern for the Nuggets as they consider a potential deal. The franchise is already heavily invested in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, so the roster would start getting awfully expensive if and when Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. also require significant financial commitments.
- We passed along an Athletic report last night indicating that the Nuggets have also inquired on Magic guard Evan Fournier. Chris Mannix of SI.com confirms that report, citing league sources who say Denver has engaged with Orlando on both Gordon and Fournier.
Barnes would be a nice fit in Denver. Better than Gordon. Jokic needs a guy like him watching his back. Milsap has lost a step (finally) this season, still solid for 20 minutes a game though.
Gary Harris, Jamychal Green, RJ Hampton, 2021 1st round pick for Gordon, Terrence Ross, and Orlando 2024 2nd round pick? I dont know of that’s a good enough upgrade for Denver though…I think the money actually still works for Fournier instead of Ross, but maybe Denver would need an extra tiny asset there?
Denver would need to throw in a pick swap, or 1st for Harris coming back in the deal. He is over-paid by atleast double. Denver needs to move on from him pronto!
He has 1 less year than Ross I think, and is at least better than him defensively, maybe with the exception of this year, but then he has been more efficient offensively than Ross. Both guys have had injury issues. Also Orlando could arguably use a player like him, so it might work.
Barnes is a good player, but no way can he match up to Lebron
Barnes is good but no way he can guard Lebron
Might not have to… Never heard a guy scream like that over a sprained ankle before
Denver should pursue Barnes. They’ll never be a real contender without a 2 way combo F like him. They’re valued around the league at the highest of premiums, and for good reason. Barnes may not be best of breed, but that’s less important than having one who can play 30 mpg.
I just dont see Sacramento moving him for anything less than something relatively significant
Agree, it’s why Nuggets need to be the aggressor. They should put Jokic, Murray and MPJ aside, and see if they can get the deal done with their other assets. Obviously, this is not the Nuggets style historically, but they have a great young core and should act.
They should have acted 2 years ago, before people realized about Harris. At the time, I said a few times I thought they would, but now we’re here, they still have Harris, luckily for them Barton got better, but they lost Beasley, and have fewer assets. Definitely curious to see what they do b/c they dont have nearly the depth they’ve had the last 2 years