A Royal Pain
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Is Harrison Barnes The Long-Term Solution For The Sacramento Kings?

By Rafe Wong

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Harrison Barnes has currently made 24 appearances with the Sacramento Kings. Let us dive into how he has fared in those games.

The Sacramento Kings attempted to solve their hole at small forward last February when they traded for Harrison Barnes from the Dallas Mavericks.

Prior to his Sacramento tenure, Barnes was considered a legit starting wing as he played that role for both the Mavericks and Golden State Warriors in a span of six years. The Kings are hoping that Barnes can provide the same production for their team as they have been looking for a starting three for the last couple of years.

How has Barnes fared in the role so far?

Rough Beginnings

SACRAMENTO, CA – FEBRUARY 10: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on February 10, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – FEBRUARY 10: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on February 10, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The beginning of Barnes’ tenure with the Kings was not pretty. Although Harrison was able to be an asset in the defensive and rebounding aspects of the game, he struggled to score the ball.

In Barnes’ first seven games as a King, he averaged 11 points per game while shooting just 35% from the floor and 28% from three.

Barnes Gets Into Rhythm

The Barnes experiment started off rocky, which led to the fanbase having concerns about the seven-year veteran. But as the season went on, Barnes became more acclimated with his new teammates which resulted in his offense to improve.

In the month of March, 16 games, Barnes saw his numbers skyrocket as he averaged 16 points a game while making almost 50% of his shots from the court and over 46% of his shots from beyond the arc. Add his improved offense with his solid defense and rebounding, and Barnes has become a solid asset for the Kings.

Is Barnes The Answer Though?

Even though Barnes still has one year left in his current contract, there is the possibility that he could opt out of it to explore free agency this summer. So the question has to be asked whether he is the guy the Kings can rely on to fulfill the starting three spot going forward?

As of now, I am on the team that supports Barnes staying in Sacramento. The Kings have needed someone to who can play the starting small forward role well, and right now they have Barnes who is a versatile forward who can contribute on both ends of the court.

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It was a risk by Vlade Divac and company to trade for Barnes last February. But so far, it has worked in the Kings’ favor. Hopefully, Harrison is able to continue gelling with his new team and will be repping the purple and white for at least one more season.

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