NBA Rumors: Harrison Barnes Possibly Leaving Golden State Warriors For Phoenix Suns

NBA rumors have been swirling around Harrison Barnes. As the Golden State Warriors continue their quest to repeat as champions of the National Basketball Association, the impending free agency status of Barnes still looms over the franchise. The former North Carolina Tar Heels star will be garnering a lot of interest from several teams this upcoming summer. According to SB Nation, one of the teams that will come calling is the Phoenix Suns. They will be looking for someone who can help their team win now.

If you were to ask Harrison Barnes about his free agency now, he would tell you that he is currently focused on the NBA Playoffs. The former North Carolina Tar Heels star is doing whatever he can so that the Golden State Warriors can complete their historic season on a high note. Barnes is currently averaging 9.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in the playoffs. He isn’t even one of the top scoring options for the team.

According to Mychal Thompson, the father of Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes has the potential to average 18 to 20 points per game if he were on another team. Barnes has all the tools that teams are looking for in the small forward position. He is only 23-years-old and will have plenty of time to keep improving his game. Barnes is a very athletic shooter who can get to the basket. He is also very good at rebounding and is strong enough to defend the low post.

It is very likely that Harrison Barnes will be suiting up for a different team next season. The Golden State Warriors are already tied up with so much money between Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Stephen Curry. Some believe the team will not have enough money to match a huge offer for Barnes. Curry is due for an extension in the summer of 2017. He will probably be the highest paid player in NBA history.

One team that is always looking to make a splash in free agency has been the Phoenix Suns. Over the past several years, they missed out on LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, and LaMarcus Aldridge. It’s safe to assume that the Suns will be looking to add a big name free agent this summer. They will have approximately $28 million to spend in free agency. Bringing in a talent like Harrison Barnes seem very doable for the Suns.

The Phoenix Suns have a pretty young core on their roster. Eric Bledsoe is 26-years-old, Brandon Knight is 24-years-old, Alex Len is 22-years-old, and Devin Booker is 19-years-old, and Booker was last year’s pick in the NBA Draft. If you’re looking at that line-up right there, all you’re missing is a power forward. Harrison Barnes would be able to fill that role nicely. The Suns will be able to play small ball and could possibly compete with the Golden State Warriors.

If the Phoenix Suns do end up signing Harrison Barnes from the Golden State Warriors, they will have a young core who could be able to compete for an NBA Championship for the next several years. Barnes may not be a big name like the Kevin Durant and LeBron James, but he brings championship experience to a young team who has yet to experience that.

The Phoenix Suns will be looking to add a key piece to their team this summer during free agency. There are plenty of options they could sign, but Harrison Barnes could be the perfect fit for them. That would allow a young Suns team grow with one another and hopefully compete for an NBA Championship.