NBA: 3 sneaky players who will get a massive payday like Jordan Poole

Harrison Barnes will receive a big contract after this coming NBA season.

One player who has fallen out of the public eye completely is Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings. This is not surprising, after all the last time the Kings were in the postseason, “Give It To Me” by Timbaland was number one in the charts. Despite this, Barnes is still thought of highly by some around the league.

He was part of that first championship Golden State Warriors team, and although moving him along instead of paying him the $85 million that the Kings eventually would, there were many who thought the Warriors would suffer some from his departure. They rebounded effortlessly, Barnes got his money in an NBA backwater, and the rest is history.

But at only 31 years old, you get the feeling a team that is approaching contention could overpay for his services next summer. Barnes has got the kind of build that has a home in today’s league, and his large frame means he can be a capable wing defender against a lot of opponents. Also not spoken about enough, Barnes has shot over 39 percent from deep in his last two seasons.

That he managed to do this in a stodgy Kings offensive scheme speaks volumes about the untapped potential that still exists within Barnes. An above-average 3-and-D player is just waiting to be signed up. Not the type to take a young group like the Detroit Pistons or Orlando Magic much further, but absolutely one who could turn a playoff group into a fringe contender.

He’s not quite the missing piece, but he is one who could provide real value to a group that is already established. Is another $80 million deal outrageous to suggest? Franchises are smarter with their money than ever before, but the experience and ability are there. Failing this, the Kings might just go full “Kingzzz Mode” and re-sign Barnes to a max contract because, well… Kingzzz…