Sacramento Kings: 3 reasons to not re-sign Harrison Barnes

Despite some promise, the Sacramento Kings should not re-sign Harrison Barnes. Here are three reasons why.

In a surprising move, Harrison Barnes chose to decline his $25.1 million player option for the 2019-20 season and became an unrestricted free agent. This leaves the Sacramento Kings with $59,110,336 in cap space if the Kings let go of their cap holds on Alec Burks, Kosta Koufos, Willie Cauley-Stein, Corey Brewer and Troy Williams.

With the possible exception of Cauley-Stein, who is a restricted free agent and rumored to be talking to general manager Vlade Divac about receiving a contract extension, this is likely.

Barnes was a productive player for the Kings. Barnes began his Kings career on Feb. 6 when he was traded mid-game from the Dallas Mavericks to the Kings in exchange for Zach Randolph and Justin Jackson.

In 28 games for the Kings Barnes averaged 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 33.9 minutes per game. He shot 45.5 percent from the field and an impressive 40.8 percent from 3.

He also noticeably improved the Kings defense, guarding taller wings who the Kings previously struggled to contain.

There are currently reports that the Kings plan to re-sign Barnes to a long-term deal along with a picture of Barnes at a burger joint with general manager Vlade Divac, new coach Luke Walton, and owner Vivek Ranadivé, posted after he declined his player option.

The Kings should reconsider their course despite Barnes productive time so far with the Kings and to not re-sign Barnes. The Kings should take advantage of Barnes’ choice to opt out of his large contract and look elsewhere to improve as a team for these three reasons.