The Sacramento Kings kicked off the NBA trade deadline season with a massive trade for Indiana Pacers star Domantas Sabonis. Their willingness to part with Tyrese Haliburton shows that they are going all-in on making the playoffs as soon as possible. They aren't done looking for reinforcements yet, either.
Harrison Barnes has long been on Sacramento's trade block and has drawn interest. He has been one of three players to be believed to be moved along with Buddy Hield, who was included in the Kings-Pacers trade, and Marvin Bagley III. The Kings are looking to do what they did in the Sabonis trade: improve the team. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Sacramento wants to continue adding win-now players rather than assets that need to be cashed in later.
In the aftermath of the Haliburton trade, the Kings have informed teams that they are not interested in future-based offers for Barnes–they will only discuss packages that will return players that will help them win. https://t.co/yh8TuTU5Af
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 9, 2022
Barnes' abilities fit well as a role player alongside Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox. The Kings' desire for more star power would have to come at the cost of Barnes and his $20 million contract. The trade market is bound to be filled with players making roughly that amount of money who would be an improvement over Barnes.
If the Kings can't find a suitor for Barnes, keeping him is not the worst-case scenario. The 29-year-old is averaging 16.9 points and shooting 40.5 percent on 3-pointers. He can play either forward spot and would be a solid third-wheel behind Sacramento's star duo.
The Kings' time leading up to the trade deadline will only get busier from here on out.
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