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NBA Trades: 5 under-the-radar trade targets

By Hunter Parsons

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on November 19, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on November 19, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trades, Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings; Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat; Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat – Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images /

NBA: F Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings

On its face, the idea of the Sacramento Kings shaking up their roster in the middle of their best season since the Bush administration feels ill-advised. Looking past the team’s initial success, there are several reasons why the Kings may consider moving Harrison Barnes.

While the season is still young, the veteran forward has opened the year shooting a career-low 30.8% from beyond the arc, resulting in his lowest scoring numbers since his last year in Golden State. In each of the last two seasons, Barnes ranked in at least the top 29th percentile in eFG%. This year, Barnes has dropped to only the top 43rd percentile at 54.5%.

According to Basketball Index’s Overall Shot Making metric, which analyzes a player’s ability to make shots in a variety of different situations and levels of difficulty, Barnes sits in the bottom 18th percentile of all players, down from the top 19th percentile in each of the previous two years. At the end of the day, slumps happen, and Barnes will have plenty of time to right the ship before the February trade deadline. Nonetheless, Barnes’ shaky start makes trading the former 7th overall pick an increasingly likely possibility.

Barnes turns 31 years old this May. It’s not unreasonable to think that the once-explosive player may have already begun the inevitable decline in production and, therefore, value. The former Tar Heel, who’s earning approximately $18.4 million this season, is currently eligible for a four-year, $98.7 million contract extension until June 30th.

Taking into consideration Barnes’ age, slow start to the season, and general replaceability with rookie Keegan Murray now on the team, the $24.7 million average annual value (AAV) of a max extension is obviously steep. While Barnes and the Kings can ultimately agree to a new deal below the maximum, the fact that an agreement has not been reached shows a difference of opinion still exists between the two sides.

As the oldest player in the rotation and the second oldest on the team, Barnes brings a veteran presence that young teams unquestionably need. No member of the Kings’ core of De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray is currently older than 26. While the team is off to a promising start, largely credited to the roster’s youth and hunger for success, inexperience is fatal in the playoffs.

Having an NBA champion and 10-year, role-playing veteran in the locker room and on the court may be the critical piece that propels the Kings past a play-in or first-round exit. However, as contenders begin to look for expiring deals to boost their bench, Barnes’ name is sure to be in the conversation.