No Reunion: Mavs Ex Harrison Barnes Re-Signs With Kings
Amid rumors that the Dallas Mavs might seek a sign-and-trade reunion with Harrison Barnes, the veteran forward on Thursday night agreed on a new three-year, $54 million contract extension to remain with with the Sacramento Kings.
Barnes played two full seasons with the Mavs, but in an all-time oddity was traded to the Kings in the middle of a game at the AAC in Dallas in 2018-19, with the Mavs netting Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph in exchange. Before that, the 6-8 Barnes had a productive stint in his initial four seasons with the Golden State Warriors as he was part of the 2015 NBA championship team.
Barnes, 31, has averaged 15.4 points since moving to Sacramento. And this year, he was a key part of the Kings having ended a 16-year playoff drought as they reached the Western Conference playoffs as the No. 3 seed.
Barnes appeared in all 82 regular-season games with the Kings last season. He averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 32.5 minutes per game, while shooting 47.3 percent from the floor and 37.4 percent on 3s. Barnes has long been an offensive weapon, but his lack of defense caused some Mavs observers to wonder about this summer's rumored connection. Dallas has been clear about a prioritization of "rebounding and defense'' as the NBA free agency window opens.
This deal, though, keeps Barnes out of the unrestricted free agency pool, meaning potential suitors (which reportedly also included former Mavs coach Rick Carlisle's Indiana Pacers) will have to look elsewhere for help.
SUBSCRIBE to Mavs Step Back on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here. Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.
