NBA Rumors: Harrison Barnes Not Worried About Golden State Warriors Signing Kevin Durant

NBA rumors are swirling around Harrison Barnes. Not only is he set to become a free agent this summer, there is speculation that the Golden State Warriors are already looking to replace him with someone better. The reigning champions are said to be interested in signing Kevin Durant away from the Oklahoma City Thunder. According to Hoops Rumors, Barnes is not concerned about Durant. He’s dealt with rumors for so many years that he is immune to them now.

The Golden State Warriors becoming even dominant is keeping head coaches and general managers in the NBA up at nights. The trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are hard to beat. They’re even harder to beat whenever the role players are playing up to par. The Warriors are able to beat the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers in playoffs games without Curry. Adding Kevin Durant might even enable them to compete with the regular season win record that they just broke this season.

Harrison Barnes is a big reason why the Golden State Warriors win so many games. He’s a tremendous role player who can step up when the team needs him to. The Warriors would be more than fine if they decide to keep Barnes as their starting small forward. His confidence about the Kevin Durant situation could be more than just public relations speak.

Another reason why Harrison Barnes might be confident with his situation is because he knows that he has other options in the NBA. There are several teams that are said to be interested in signing the 6’8?, 225-pound forward. If the Golden State Warriors do decide to sign Kevin Durant, then Barnes will be just fine. In fact, he might even get a big contract from the Oklahoma City Thunder to replace their star small forward.

An interesting scenario for Harrison Barnes could be signing with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. The team is looking for a small forward now that the legendary Kobe Bryant has decided to walk away from the NBA after two decades. Barnes could have a much bigger role with the Lakers than he does now with the Golden State Warriors. There will be much fewer victories, but Harrison can put up bigger numbers with Los Angeles.

If Harrison Barnes does sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, then he might have some familiar faces around him. Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton has already agreed to a five-year contract to take over as the Lakers head coach. Walton already knows what Barnes likes to do on the court. Festus Ezeli becomes a restricted free agent this summer, as well. Los Angeles is said to already be targeting the talented backup center.

Another interesting option for Harrison Barnes would be the Charlotte Hornets. The team is up and coming, making it to the NBA Playoffs this season. Their upswing has even caused potential free agents like Jeremy Lin to talk about taking a pay cut because he wants to be a part of something special. Barnes played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels, so returning to the state might be something that greatly appeals to the 23-year-old.

NBA players are used to looking over their shoulders. That’s the nature of the business. Rather than being paranoid and allowing it to affect his play, Harrison Barnes is brushing off the rumors about the Golden State Warriors signing Kevin Durant. He knows that there is really nothing that he can really do about it if management decides to go in that direction. Barnes just needs to play well.