The Golden State Warriors are reportedly not thrilled with Harrison Barnes these days.
According to CSN Bay Area’s Monte Poole, there is “an undercurrent of disenchantment” within the organization surrounding Barnes and his slow recovery from a recent ankle sprain.
Barnes, who is a restricted free agent after the season, is reportedly seeking upwards of $18 million a season. The Warriors reportedly offered him a deal similar to the 5 year, $82 million pact Draymond Green got last offseason, but he turned it down. Now, the Warriors aren’t sure Barnes is worth the commitment, especially since they didn’t really skip a beat when he was out and replaced in the lineup by Brandon Rush.
Poole reports that the Warriors would like to keep Barnes, as he’s a valuable player, particularly as a defender in the team’s famed smaller lineup. However, they may balk at investing so much in a player of his caliber. Barnes has previously said he’d like to remain with Golden State long-term.
With this in mind, no wonder the Warriors are being linked to Kevin Durant. He’d be a big upgrade over Barnes and unquestionably worth the big-money investment where Barnes may not be.
