Harrison Barnes will likely leave the Sacramento Kings this summer, and the Indiana Pacers are a strong contender to sign the NBA champion, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Barnes becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who coached Barnes on the Dallas Mavericks, loves the UNC product.
“The Pacers, sources said, are also a strong contender to sign Harrison Barnes from the Sacramento Kings,” Fischer wrote. “Barnes had a close relationship with All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton during their overlapping tenure in Northern California, and Barnes has further support from Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle dating back to shared days with the Mavericks.
“Barnes’ likely departure from Sacramento, coupled with the Kings creating roughly $35 million in cap space following the draft night trade of Holmes and the No. 24 pick to Dallas, has rival front offices wondering what big swing the Kings are planning in free agency.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings & Indiana Pacers Updates
Barnes averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists this past season for the Kings while shooting 47.3% from the field, 37.4% from beyond the arc and 84.7% from the free-throw line. He played with Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and shooting guard Buddy Hield in Sacramento.
The 31-year-old Barnes has career averages of 14.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists with the Golden State Warriors, Mavericks and Kings. He won the 2015 championship with the Warriors over the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games. Barnes also played in the 2016 Finals.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings & Indiana Pacers Updates
Once the Pacers sign Haliburton to a rookie-scale extension this summer, expect the front office to be aggressive in his attempts to improve the wing position. It will certainly be interesting to see if Barnes leaves the Kings, who made the playoffs this past season, for the Pacers, who play in a small market, Indiana.
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