Sacramento Kings and Harrison Barnes Reach $54 Million Contract Extension
The Sacramento Kings have announced a three-year contract extension with forward Harrison Barnes, as confirmed by a team source to The Athletic. ESPN was the first to report the news, which sees Barnes securing a deal worth $54 million. Here are the key details:
– Barnes’ contract includes a 10 percent trade kicker, meaning he will receive a bonus equal to that percentage of his salary if he is traded.
– Last season, Barnes started in all 82 regular-season games for the Kings, averaging 15 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc.
– This upcoming season will mark Barnes’ sixth year in Sacramento, having been traded from the Dallas Mavericks during the 2018-19 campaign.
– The Kings finished with a record of 48-34 last season, placing third in the Western Conference. However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors.
The Athletic’s instant analysis breaks down what this contract extension means for the Kings and the team’s future. It highlights the importance of continuity within a starting lineup and references the success of the Denver Nuggets in the recent playoffs as an example. Barnes, while not the flashiest option on the market, is praised for his consistency and all-around contributions to the team. His return will help solidify the Kings’ play on the wing, an area where they lack depth.
The decision to extend Barnes’ contract also provides insight into the direction the Kings are heading. Despite creating significant cap space, previously thought to be for pursuing big-name players, the team’s focus appears to be on renegotiating and extending Domantas Sabonis. The Kings might also consider bringing back Trey Lyles and potentially adding Greek player Sasha Vezenkov.
In terms of Barnes’ background, he was initially drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2012 and later faced his former team in seven postseason games last season. Barnes recorded an average of 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game while shooting 24 percent from three against the Warriors. Over his career, Barnes has maintained averages of 14.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc.
This contract extension signifies the Kings’ commitment to their current core and their aspiration to build upon last season’s success. With Barnes back in the lineup, Sacramento hopes to make a stronger push towards becoming a true title contender.