Harrison Barnes' name has been thrown in trade rumors once again, but there's a real possibility he gets moved this time with the Sacramento Kings far from being a playoff contender and needing some assets to further rebuild.
The former Golden State Warriors forward has actually been pretty solid for the Kings in his three and half seasons with them so far. With that said, several contenders can certainly use his services to elevate themselves and better prepare for a deep playoff run. Additionally, the pleasing sight is Barnes' contract decreases to a respectable $18 million next year, which is why this could be the best time for Sacramento to to trade him and get significant returns.
With that in mind, these are some teams who must prioritize getting Barnes out of Sacramento.
Harrison Barnes Trade Destinations
Whenever there is a wing available on the market, the Chicago Bulls are guaranteed to inquire about them at the very least.
Patrick Williams was the perfect individual for the Bulls to space the floor and contain the best offensive player from the opposing team. While he got injured and could miss a huge chunk of the season, if not all of it, the upside of Williams is still immense. With that said, it does not seem advisable to swing him for veteran presence.
If Barnes could be acquired in a package revolving around Coby White and Derrick Jones Jr., that would be a tremendous boost for the Windy City franchise.
Jerami Grant is another rumored wing with whom the Bulls are interested in, but the asking price of the Detroit Pistons seems a bit too steep. The Kings could be more desperate for a revamp of any sort compared to the Pistons.
With the lack of young assets in Chicago, a third team could be needed for the transaction to be completed, but the Bulls must be assertive for this deal to be completed.
The Washington Wizards are in dire need of some sort of boost after their recent fall, and they could certainly utilize the talent of Harrison Barnes. With the rollercoaster campaign star guard Bradley Beal is having, they will benefit immensely from the offensive support Barnes could provide.
Their two young wings in Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija still need a couple of seasons before blossoming to their full potential, while some of their other key assets have not fit well in the system of coach Wes Unseld Jr.
Barnes' repertoire would not hinder the chemistry of the Wizards because his usage rate does not need to be high for him to produce. Moreover, his defensive versatility is an asset that Unseld Jr. would welcome to his lineup.
Going back to Dallas for a second stint with Luka Doncic would be an incredible change of scenery for Barnes. After all, this time, the Mavs have championship aspirations.
Not to mention that Barnes is an upgrade over Dorian Finney-Smith at the wings, and the Mavs could use Barnes' offensive production with Tim Hardaway Jr. expected to be sidelined for some time.
The Mavs are expected to trade either Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson since they wouldn't be able to keep them both considering the salaries they will command after this 2021-22 season. With that said, Dallas could very well try to make a move for Barnes.
With the Kings heading towards rebuilding once again, Barnes is more of a piece who would benefit an organization that is closer to a deep playoff run. The timeline of Sacramento is focused more on De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, which certainly doesn't bode well for Barnes who is already 29 years old.
It remains to be seen where Barnes will end up with, but it's a real possibility he'll be wearing a different jersey after February 10.