Dallas Mavericks: What should they do with Harrison Barnes?
By Aaron Burg
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Trade him
After missing the playoffs and finishing with a 33-win season and a 24-win season in the two years Barnes has been on the Mavericks, the case can be made that it’s time to move on from him. Luka Doncic has stolen the show in Dallas and Barnes is relegated to the third wheel after Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr. passed him up to form their dynamic duo.
So far this year, Barnes has seen his numbers drop to 15.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 36.8 percent shooting from the field and 31.3 percent shooting from 3-point range. He’ll have to start playing better for a trade to be a realistic option.
At 26 and with a fine resume from this time with the Golden State Warriors, Barnes would make an attractive piece to go back to a contender on the bubble, especially in the Western Conference where several teams are scratching and clawing just to get in the playoffs.
Barnes brings maturity to a team and a good skill-set that the Mavericks don’t necessarily need, but could help improve other teams for a quality piece in return. Moving his contract is problematic, but a draft pick could also be in store for a return for his services, which would be highly valuable as the Mavericks are primed for a quick rebuild.
Barnes’ production is similar to Andrew Wiggins’ with the Minnesota Timberwolves in that he carries plenty of potential and leaves fans excited by what they see, but still wanting more. If he continues his regression, or his injuries come back to haunt him, it will be a good idea to chalk it up to Barnes just not quite working out in Dallas in order for them to take the next step in improving.