One of the burning issues of the summer of Kingsrecently eliminated from the playoffs by the Warriors (3-4) in the first round, will obviously concern their 3/4 starting position, Harrison Barnes (15.0 points and 4.5 rebounds, 37% from 3-point range).
“Free agent” for the third time in his career, the soon to be 31-year-old winger will certainly want to sign the last big contract of his career, but nothing says that the leaders of Sacramento will wish to align themselves with his salary wishes, despite his status as a “wise old man” in the Californian locker room.
On the side of Harrison Barnes, who arrived at the Kings in February 2019, we are however convinced of one thing two months from “free agency”: extending is anything but impossible and it even seems to be his first option.
” It would be special », does he concede precisely, concerning a possible re-signing. “ I invested in Sacramento, going through a lot of long seasons, so finally being able to be on the other side, having a collective experience and feeling like we’re knocking on the door… Obviously we know it’s a business and a lot things happen, but to continue with this group would be something special. »
The balance point of the locker room
If he considers, of course, that it is still too early to discuss this situation and that the conversations between the two camps will only take place in a few weeks, the GM of Sacramento, Monte McNairstill struggles to downplay Harrison Barnes’ importance to the franchise’s success.
” Obviously Harrison is a fantastic part of our team, a veteran, a leader and one of two players to have championship experience, which was important in keeping our younger players ready and focused. », Admits the Leader of the Year 2023.
To make a decision on the future of Harrison Barnes, whatever it is, Monte McNair will be able to take the pulse of the Kings locker room, starting by keeping in mind the words of De’Aaron Fox.
” It was huge “, indeed judges the All-Star leader, about his teammate. ” From the moment he arrived here, we could see all his professionalism. Our lockers have been side by side since the beginning and [sa présence] was fundamental for me, because he showed me how I had to work to reach the next level. Just seeing the way he works has made my work ethic much better and I feel like it got me where I am today. »
Still, Harrison Barnes’ playoff performances (10.7 points and 3.4 rebounds, 24% from 3-point range, etc.) could, and should, have played against him, especially in the last four games of the series (8.0 points and 2.5 rebounds, 18% at 3-points…). What should Sacramento management think about before offering him too high a salary?
| Harrison Barnes | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2012-13 | GOS | 81 | 25 | 43.9 | 35.9 | 75.8 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 9.2 |
| 2013-14 | GOS | 78 | 28 | 39.9 | 34.7 | 71.8 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 9.5 |
| 2014-15 | GOS | 82 | 28 | 48.2 | 40.5 | 72.0 | 1.4 | 4.1 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 10.1 |
| 2015-16 | GOS | 66 | 31 | 46.6 | 38.3 | 76.1 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 4.9 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 11.7 |
| 2016-17 | DAL | 79 | 36 | 46.8 | 35.1 | 86.1 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 19.2 |
| 2017-18 | DAL | 77 | 34 | 44.5 | 35.7 | 82.7 | 1.0 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 18.9 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 77 | 33 | 42.0 | 39.5 | 82.4 | 0.7 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 16.4 |
| 2018-19 * | DAL | 49 | 32 | 40.4 | 38.9 | 83.3 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 17.7 |
| 2018-19 * | BAG | 28 | 34 | 45.5 | 40.8 | 80.0 | 0.8 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 14.3 |
| 2019-20 | BAG | 72 | 35 | 46.0 | 38.1 | 80.1 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 14.5 |
| 2020-21 | BAG | 58 | 36 | 49.7 | 39.1 | 83.0 | 1.1 | 5.5 | 6.6 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 16.1 |
| 2021-22 | BAG | 77 | 34 | 46.9 | 39.4 | 82.6 | 1.1 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 16.4 |
| 2022-23 | BAG | 82 | 33 | 47.3 | 37.4 | 84.7 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 15.0 |
| Total | 829 | 32 | 45.5 | 37.8 | 81.1 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 5.1 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 14.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
