Sacramento Kings: Everyone is missing the point with Harrison Barnes’ extension
When the Sacramento Kings extended Harrison Barnes earlier this month, people were quick to dismiss the signing, but they’re missing the point.
”Way too much money,” “worst contract of the 2019 offseason,” “questionable” and “sure” are just some of the ways people describes Harrison Barnes’ four-year, $85 million deal with the Sacramento Kings. The problem? Nobody seems to understand (or care to look at) why the Kings made the deal.
The Harrison Barnes extension was a forgone conclusion for many Kings fans leading up to the start of free agency on June 30. Once the signing was reported by The Athletic’s Sam Amick, it was generally well-received by Kings fans — and lambasted by everyone else.
The Kings, however, were smart to make the deal and looking beyond the sum of money, you’d be able to see why that is.
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For starters, locking Barnes up long-term was the only way the Sacramento Kings would be able to secure an average to above-average starting small forward for the foreseeable future barring an incredible (or lucky) draft pick.
Over the next two seasons, the best free agent small forwards who (likely) wont command max contracts are Danilo Gallinari and Josh Richardson. Barnes, for what it’s worth, already spent a half-season with the team and has shown an ability to play well as a third or fourth option in Sacramento. Barnes was overpaid based on market value, but if that signing ultimately is the right one — is it an overpay?
More importantly though, is his fit with the Kings’ core.
In 28 games with Sacramento, he averaged 14.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 33.9 minutes per game while shooting 40.8% from three. Not only that, but his plus-minus improved by plus-2.5 after he came to Sacramento, and he vastly improved the team’s defense.
The Sacramento Kings fell short in their quest for the playoffs last season in large part because they didn’t have a small forward, and it tanked their defense. That changed when the Kings acquired Barnes. Next season, when the Sacramento Kings have a full season of Barnes, they’ll have a teams that’s, not only capable on defense, but one that’s deep and balanced on offense.
Next. We need to re-evaluate what success looks like for Sacramento. dark
Will that be enough to catapult them into the playoffs in a deeper-than-ever Western Conference? Maybe not, but maybe that’s not what constitutes success this season. Either way, they’ll be better than they were last season, and Harrison Barnes is a big reason why.