A competitive NBA team can have difficulty managing its young players. It’s difficult to find opportunities for the kids when you’ve got win-now aspirations. At the same time, you don’t want to stunt the development of your young players either. This can be a dilemma.
On the other hand, it depends on where that young player is in terms of development. A raw prospect with tantalizing potential may not find their way on a contender. By contrast, some players come into the NBA with well-defined skill sets. They can be ready to contribute right away.
Take Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings. He’s already a stout 3-and-D wing. Murray is ready to play a major role for a contender. With that in mind, the Kings could even decide that Harrison Barnes is expendable. Could they send him to the New York Knicks?
The Trade Proposal
Sacramento Kings Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, 2024 Second-Round Pick (DET via NYK), 2025 Second-Round Pick (BKN via NYK), 2027 Second-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: F Harrison Barnes
In fact, typically, young players don’t contribute to winning NBA games. That’s just a fact of NBA life. This is a grown man’s league. Often, younger men need time to adjust.
Has RJ Barrett had enough time to adjust? It certainly feels like it. Barrett has been in the NBA for some time. He’s had breakout moments, too. At the same time, he hasn’t developed into one of the biggest contributors to these win-now Knicks.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings & New York Knicks Updates
He ’s still earned more playing time than Fournier. At this point, he’s fallen out of the Knicks’ rotation altogether. There’s a lesson here: competitive NBA teams can even struggle to manage their veterans. Should the Knicks really move Fournier for Barnes?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
Some will suggest that this is overkill for the Knicks. They already acquired Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. How many wings does this team need?
We see it differently. DiVincenzo can run some point. Meanwhile, a contending NBA team needs a platoon of 3-and-D wings to succeed. Both Hart and Barnes can play both forward positions – for that matter, Hart can soak up minutes at the 2. There’s no positional overlap here. Barnes is a good fit for this roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings & New York Knicks Updates
Evidently, Fournier is not. Again – he’s fallen out of favor in New York. With that in mind, moving him and a trio of second-round picks in exchange for Barnes is a no-brainer for New York. Should the Kings accept that return for their veteran wing?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
Let’s circle back to Murray. He’s vital to Sacramento’s logic here. The young wing is clearly ready to take Barnes’ spot. Here, the Kings are accelerating the process. Murray would become a full-time starter.
The Kings can’t do this deal right now. They just extended Barnes, so they can’t move him until; restrictions lift. With that in mind – did they extend Barnes to keep him or to trade him? Should the Kings keep his money on the books when they’ve got a younger, arguably better version of him on the roster?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings & New York Knicks Updates
We don’t think so. Meanwhile, Fournier could find a place on this roster. Both Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk can slide up to the 3 while Fournier plays the 2. There have been times in Fournier’s career where he’s been a valuable offensive player. Still, even if he doesn’t stick in Sacramento, they should like his expiring deal – and opening up room for Murray doesn’t hurt either.
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