Despite all signs pointing to Harrison Barnes’ likely departure from the Sacramento Kings, the organization instead chose to bring him back at a discount rate on Wednesday.
Since being traded to the Sacramento Kings from the Dallas Mavericks at the 2019 NBA trade deadline, the 11-year veteran has been a reliable part of the roster that gives the team stats in multiple categories and offered an experienced voice in the locker room.
Also Read: NBA power rankings – Ranking all 30 teams after the 2023 NBA Draft
This past season, his efforts over the last few years paid off as he was a part of their shocking rise back to prominence as the team ended a 16-year playoff drought and won the Pacific Division with ease. However, heading into the offseason Barnes’ return to the team was far from a lock with his contract being completed following their first-round elimination in the postseason.
Sacramento Kings ink Harrison Barnes to a new three-year deal
In recent weeks, several reports linked Harrison Barnes to a few teams in NBA free agency, but the Indiana Pacers seemed to be the strongest contenders for his services. Yet, the former Warriors and Mavericks star won’t have to test his value on the open market because the Sacramento Kings gave him an offer this week that he couldn’t refuse.
- Harrison Barnes stats (’22-’23): 15.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 37% 3PT
ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday night that Harrison Barnes will be returning to Sacramento after he and the organization came to terms on a three-year deal worth $54 million. Last season, Barnes earned just over $21 million last season. The terms of his new deal will see him take a notable pay cut, which includes a pay rate of just $16.6 million next season.
In the 2023 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings traded their selection in the first round to the Mavericks and were able to move $30 million under the salary cap. In recent days it was rumored they could use that money to add a big-ticket free agent like Draymond Green, however, this move may curtail those opportunities this summer.