Harrison Barnes‘ departure from Sacramento this offseason appears increasingly likely, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, who identifies the Pacers as a “strong contender” to sign the Kings‘ free agent forward.
As previously reported, Barnes’ connections to Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton and head coach Rick Carlisle could make Indiana an appealing landing spot for him. Fischer says Barnes is close with Haliburton, who played with him in Sacramento, and has support from Carlisle, who coached him in Dallas.
Here’s more on the Kings:
- Sacramento’s decision to trade Richaun Holmes and the No. 24 pick in Thursday’s draft to Dallas in order to generate additional cap room has rival executives speculating that the Kings have a specific move in mind for free agency, says Fischer. While Khris Middleton and Draymond Green have been floated as possible targets, those veterans are considered likely to remain with the Bucks and Warriors, respectively, according to Fischer, who hears that the Trail Blazers and Pistons may nonetheless make a run at Green.
- The name gaining the most traction as a possible Kings free agent target is Kyle Kuzma, according to Fischer. The Jazz‘s trade for John Collins should take a rival suitor for Kuzma off the market, Fischer explains, since Utah is unlikely to pursue another significant frontcourt piece in free agency after adding Collins.
- Besides using their $33MM+ in cap room to pursue Kuzma, the Kings will also likely look to bring back free agent forward Trey Lyles and renegotiate and extend Domantas Sabonis‘ contract, Fischer reports, estimating that a new deal for Sabonis could be worth in the neighborhood of $120MM over four years.
Grant is staying
Blazers have no salary cap to sign Green because of Scoot salary
Trade Simons via third team is a good idea
Via third team
Warriors would demand
Vucevic and a First
Towns – Warriors add Kuminga
JV
J Allen
Asking price is high
I said this two weeks ago
Draymond out there paying Fischer handsomely…
Blazers and Pistons would be insane to throw money at him…
Blazers would guarantee Dame never wins a title whilst the Pistons could do with a cap floor raising deal that won’t effect the tank, they need to cultivate a good culture…
Grant or Kuzma
After the Collins deal, seems like splitting that money into HB and another solid role player might be Sacs best option. Kuzma does not fill the holes they have at the 4
Kuzma is the perfect type of complimentary player on any contending team trying to make a run at a title.
Kuz will never truly be a #1, probably not even a #2 on any tittle winning team, but he can be one of the best 3rd-4th options, and he’ll also provide value with his versatility as well.
Also, idk why Kuz has seemingly always gotten such a bad rep from fans. He sacrificed alot as a Laker to help them win title, but fans just wanted to trade him.
He was basically asked to defend the opposing team’s primary scorers, rebound, keep the ball moving, but he’d only get a few offensive plays ran for him. Which, that makes it extremely tough to stay in rhythm when you aren’t getting any kind of consistent looks.
Anyways, he has shown that he can do all the little things on a championship winning team, yet most fans still constantly overlook the value he can bring to any contender.
What the hell Kuzma tape are you watching?
Totally agree. Kuz will never be an all star, but 20 pts, 7 rbs, and okay defense will make a good team better. And for the Kings, he’d be an upgrade from Barnes.
The Sacramento Kings do not need another scoring option. That is not at what HB was. We have Fox, Domas, Murray, and Monk. I’d even add Red Velvet in there but he can be so streaky is better to leave him off. We’re probably adding Vezenkov as well. This team needs defense from someone other than Davion Mitchell. Kuzma is not that
I dunno, would rather them go after a plus defender like Grant, Hart or Cam Johnson. OG is the preferred guy, but don’t like the idea of giving up too many assets to get him.
Well, the deal is done. HB coming back and they’ve signed Vezenkov, and got both for the same price as Cuz. I’ve liked Cuz from his first days as a Laker, but I’d say Monty got it right…again.
Do the Wizards attempt another sign and trade? Or do they let Kuzma walk at this point?
Let him walk
Kings did a great job last year and defiantly should be considered top Five in NBA.
As far as Kuzma, if he goes off 15-20 a game we stay best offensive team. Basketball about competing with Curry right now
Basketball is about DEFENDING Jokic rn. Dude Curry’s Warriors lost in the 2nd round to a play in team. If you said, hey you have to have one of these guys attempt to guard Jokic near the paint, who do you pick: Kuzma or HB? Everyone with an ounce of NBA knowledge will pick HB 10/10 times.
Kuzma’s defense in the bubble run has carried him far