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Sacramento Kings: Three Predictions for Harrison Barnes

By Leo Tochterman

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 7: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings warms up against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 7, 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 - APRIL 7: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings warms up against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 7, 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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SACRAMENTO, CA – FEBRUARY 27: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings looks on prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 27, 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 27: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings looks on prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 27, 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) /

Barnes will be the best wing defender on the roster

Last season, many Kings fans saw Barnes’ defensive ability toward the end of the season. With a combination of elite size for his position and above-average athleticism, Barnes proved to be a competent defender against wings.

With there being so many elite wing players in the NBA, Barnes will be tasked with guarding the other team’s best player on most nights. Guys like Paul George, LeBron James, and Giannis Antetounkoumpo are going to have great games most nights, regardless of who is guarding them. But at least now, the Kings have someone who can get close to matching them in size and athleticism. Before trading for Barnes last year, the purple and white were forced to put Bogdan Bogdanovic, Justin Jackson, or Iman Shumpert on those types of guys, which is a recipe for disaster.

Next. What If The Kings Cannot Strike A Deal With Buddy?. dark

Barnes will never be confused for Kawhi Leonard or Robert Covington on the defensive end, but he should provide above-average defense at the wing position. Expect Barnes to bring that same consistency on the defensive end during his first full season in Sacramento.

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