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3 Reason why keeping Harrison Barnes was the right move for the Sacramento Kings

By Thomas J. Brown

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 16: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings looks on smiling against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on March 16, 2022 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 16: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings looks on smiling against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on March 16, 2022 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles against Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the game at Chase Center on April 25, 2021 in San Francisco, 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 Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles against Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the game at Chase Center on April 25, 2021 in San Francisco, 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 Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

Barnes’ presence is important to the team

Last season’s first round exit from the playoffs carried a bit of extra sting for Barnes; he was defeated by his former team, the Golden State Warriors. While no one wants to lose to many of their former teammates and their former head coach, Barnes’ time as a member of the Warriors organization has paid dividends for the remainder of his career.

There’s an NBA legend that during halftime of a Dallas Mavericks’ game in 2019, Barnes was informed that he had just been traded to the Sacramento Kings. Allegedly, instead of sulking and hitting the showers before the game was over, Barnes elected to finish the game with his teammates and try to earn one more win before heading to Sacramento. Most of us will never know how much of that is fact or fiction, but the fact that it is widely believed speaks to Barnes’ grit and determination. He has championship experience and it is evident in everything he does.

Sabonis and Fox are 27 and 25-years-old, respectively. They are two young players who just helped the Kings end their severe playoff drought. However, in the years to come, they will no longer be able to celebrate qualifying for the postseason. That has gone from a wish to an expectation. As the team advances into later rounds in the playoff, they will need an experienced veteran who can tell them what to expect in terms of game intensity and handling situations. That’s where Barnes fits in perfectly.

The Kings were one of the feel-good stories of the 2023 season. However, narratives change quickly in professional sports and the rest of the league is done being happy for the Kings organization. Next year the purple and gray will have a target on their backs from other teams who are looking to knock the off. The question will be, how are they going to handle the pressure of going from being the hunters to the hunted?

Next. How the Kings’ sneaky signing of Sasha Vezenkov can boost their offense. dark

In the meantime, their management has shown that they are wise roster builders and they will not swing for the fences. Instead they will make incremental improvements year by year. Keeping Harrison Barnes for next year’s run was as good a move as any.