During the contest between the Charlotte Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks, news broke that Harrison Barnes was to be traded from the Mavericks to the Sacramento Kings.
Barnes was still on the team's bench while the trade occurred. It's not often seen that a player is traded midgame.
After the game, Hornets forward Nicolas Batum expressed his surprise that Barnes was traded during a game. The reality that anyone can be traded at any time, even during a game, is sobering.
The Mavericks in the deal acquired Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph from the Kings. This allows the Mavericks to gain some cap relief as well as letting Barnes go on to a contending team.
It was only a week ago that the Knicks and Mavericks by trading for Kristaps Porzingis.
The Mavericks traded away DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Mathews, Dennis Smith Jr., and two future first-round picks to acquire the Knicks big man. The Knicks gave the Mavericks Courtney and Tim Hardaway Jr. in the deal, two big contracts that the team needed to dump.
The Knicks because of this have two max free agent slots open. Many rumors have linked them to potentially signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency.
Plus, they get to take a chance on Dennis Smith Jr. at the point guard position.
Barnes on the Kings will give them much needed spacing from beyond the arc. The Kings really needed an athletic wing who can shoot from deep.
As they make a run for the playoffs, Barnes fits that role perfectly.
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