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NBA Free Agency: Top 10 2016 Free Agents

By Ryan Blackburn

Apr 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) waits to be introduced prior to action against the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) waits to be introduced prior to action against the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) drives against Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) in the second half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Golden State Warriors won 121 to 94. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) drives against Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) in the second half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Golden State Warriors won 121 to 94. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes was dubbed “The Black Falcon” early in his NBA career and such a ferocious nickname raises the bar high. Barnes has had flashes of stardom mixed with inconsistency and disappearing acts while playing next to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

No one can really blame him, but it’s hard to truly gauge whether he’s worth the $20 million per season that he’s likely going to earn.

Regardless, some team is going to pay that much for what currently amounts to a fourth offensive option with limited defensive capabilities. Of course, he’s likely the best fourth option in the NBA, but teams will want to see if he can be a first or second option.

Currently, the Warriors have about $65 million tied up between Curry, Thompson, Green, Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala for 2016-17. If the cap becomes set at around $90 million, then there will be just enough space to fit in a potential $18 million to $20 million per year for Barnes.

This seems like the most likely situation. There have been rumors of Kevin Durant teaming up with the Splash Bros. to form Super Mega Splash Bros., but the situation would appear unlikely. If that happened though, then Barnes would be out of the fold. He would look to various teams with a bunch of cap space and a hole at the small forward position.

The Lakers make a ton of sense here. They have made flashy signings in the past and if they cannot recruit Durant or any of the other top guys, then Barnes makes sense, fitting in next to D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle. Another team to watch for would be the Chicago Bulls, who will likely look to make impact signings after missing the playoffs.

Next: Number 9