Sacramento Kings: 3 players that could surface in trade talks in 2021-22
By Dalton Sell
Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes could surface in trade talks during 2021-22 NBA season
Harrison Barnes has quietly been mentioned in trade rumors over the past two seasons with the Kings. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick (subscription required), the Boston Celtics had some heavy interest in acquiring Barnes last season, but nothing ever materialized. ESPN’s Zach Lowe also reported that the Milwaukee Bucks showed an interest in the forward as they explored ways to acquire him alongside Bogdan Bogdanovic during the 2020 offseason.
The interest in Barnes from opposing contenders is understandable. The 29-year-old has put up some of the best numbers of his career with the Kings, having averaged 15.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 158 games. Numbers like that would make Barnes a quality starting four on several teams across the league, but the only question is how much the Kings value him and if he is in their future plans. For a team that is looking to make a run at the postseason, one would think he has a place on this roster, but nothing is ever concrete.
Barnes will make $20.3 million this coming season, making him far from the most affordable trade target for most teams. Yet, if the Kings plan on making moves during the season, that big salary would likely come in handy. The most obvious hypothetical trade involving Barnes would include sending him to Philadelphia, which will be discussed with the final name on this list.