NBA Rumors: Golden State Warriors Expected To Match Any Offer For Harrison Barnes If Kevin Durant Signs Elsewhere
From the archive: published Jul 3, 2016, 10 years ago. Details may have changed since.
Harrison Barnes is one of the most intriguing free agents this summer. He is the fourth scoring option for the Golden State Warriors. The former North Carolina Tar Heels star is expected to be commanding the maximum contract in free agency. The Warriors are expected to meet with Kevin Durant this weekend. According to Hoops Rumors, if Durant does decide to sign elsewhere, the Warriors are expected to match any offer for Barnes.
As of right now, many people believe that Kevin Durant will return to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a one year deal. That way, he can earn more money in the summer of 2017.
If Kevin Durant decides not to join the Golden State Warriors, the team will be shifting their focus to Harrison Barnes. Barnes has plenty of potential to be a great player. He just has not been asked to do much.
ESPN sources say that the Mavericks intend to sign Warriors restricted free agent Harrison Barnes to a four-year max offer sheet on July 7
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 2, 2016
Harrison Barnes is a very versatile player. He can play multiple positions for head coach Steve Kerr. In the NBA Finals, when Andrew Bogut went down with a knee injury, Barnes showed his versatility. The next game, Kerr played Barnes at the small forward, power forward, and center positions.
Harrison Barnes is only 23-years-old. He has the ability to drive into the paint and can shoot from beyond the arc. Barnes has all the tools to be a superstar. He is a strong player who can hold his own against bigger players. Surprisingly, he is very good at fighting for rebounds, and is a good defender as well.
Harrison Barnes is not asked to do much because they have arguably the best player in the world in Stephen Curry. Curry is a two-time MVP winner and one of the greatest scorers.
Last but not least, the Golden State Warriors have Draymond Green. The former Michigan State Spartans star is a walking triple double. Green developed into one of the best passing big men in the NBA. He is the vocal leader for the Warriors.
According to Mychal Thompson, he believes that Harrison Barnes can be a featured scorer for other teams in the NBA. Barnes still has plenty of time to develop his skills. He has a very bright upside to him.
Another team that might show interest in Harrison Barnes is the Portland Trail Blazers. They are looking to add some players to play alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. They are one of the best guard combinations in the NBA. The Trail Blazers are a young team on the rise. If they can find a couple of key players, the Trail Blazers could be a force in the Western Conference next season.
From the looks of it, Harrison Barnes will be getting a very significant pay raise this summer. He has all the potential to be a superstar in the NBA. In an increased role, Barnes may be able to show his full potential. As of right now, he has not been asked to do much for the Golden State Warriors.