A Royal Pain
Fansided

3 Sacramento Kings who likely just played their last game for the team

By Jason Reed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings had the best regular season that the franchise has seen in two decades but were unable to notch a playoff win under their belt. Sacramento ran into the defending NBA Champions and was able to take them to seven games but ultimately fell short against the Golden State Warriors.

Now it is time to turn the page into the offseason. This was a great season for the Kings but it cannot be a one-off. Sacramento is trying to build something here and this loss could be a launching pad for bigger things.

However, this loss could also, sadly, represent the last game several players might ever play for this franchise. And just for clarity’s sake, we are avoiding the most obvious players (like your PJ Doziers of the world) as that would be mere filler.

3 Kings players who likely just played their last game for Sacramento:

1. Harrison Barnes

As solid as Harrison Barnes was during the regular season, he simply did not live up to standards in the NBA Playoffs. Not only did Barnes miss a three that would have resulted in the Kings winning this series but he absolutely forgot to show up in Game 7 against his former team.

Barnes scored just four points on 1-4 shooting in 14 minutes. Barnes saw his playing time significantly slashed in the last two games of this series, logging 29 combined minutes in the last two. He played 33 minutes in Game 5.

While Barnes definitely is a solid player to have on a playoff basketball team, there is going to be at least one team in the NBA that ends up paying him more than they should this offseason. Sacramento doesn’t need to get in a bidding war and pay 30% over Barnes’ market value just to keep him in town.

Maybe the team can get creative and try to sign and trade him to get assets in return but either way, it would be shocking to see him back in Northern California next season.

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