Per an ESPN report, the Milwaukee Bucks have entertained scenarios in which they absorb Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes in trade discussions.
Another day, another rumor surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe dropped a mega-offseason preview Thursday morning and it all led off with looking the many scenarios in play surrounding the Bucks this offseason and their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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Within all of it, Lowe touched on some popular trade targets, including Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, and dropped a nugget regarding their willingness to absorb veteran forward Harrison Barnes in trade discussions:
"“In any case, the Bucks will be active. They love Bogdan Bogdanovic, a restricted free agent with the Sacramento Kings who would require a sign-and-trade; the Bucks have kicked around scenarios in which they also absorb Harrison Barnes, sources have told ESPN. It is unclear if they have engaged the Kings in real discussions; it’s early. (Acquiring any player in a sign-and-trade would trigger the hard cap.”"
In the context in which they’ve discussed Barnes as Lowe reported on, it’s not known if taking on Barnes and his hefty contract would be a part of a much larger deal that would help them net Bogdanovic in a sign-and-trade deal. Due to Bogdanovic’s restricted free agent status, that kind of deal would have take place at the start of free agency.
Why would the Milwaukee Bucks be interested in taking back veteran Kings forward Harrison Barnes in any potential deal?
With $60.7 million owed to him over the next three seasons, Barnes does not come cheap by any means. And at 28 years old and with eight NBA seasons under his belt, he doesn’t exactly make the Bucks particularly younger, not that should be a factor to consider here.
With all that said, Barnes is coming off a solid season that stands as his most efficient by true shooting percentage (57.4 percent). Over his 72 appearances, Barnes averaged 14.5 points on a .460/.380/.801 slash line, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 34.5 minutes per game.
Clearly, the floor spacing and positional versatility that the former Tar Heel provides is a notch to have within the Bucks’ frontcourt. More suited as a 4 and a small ball 5 at this stage in his career, Barnes would theoretically be able to step into the role that his fellow North Carolina alum, Marvin Williams, provided for the Bucks near the end of last season.
It should be clear that Barnes doesn’t exactly solve the Bucks’ playmaking problems, despite the shooting he does bring to the table. And if you’re taking on Barnes, does this mean the Bucks would risk shaking up their foundation even further by entertaining deals with Brook Lopez at all?
There are undoubtedly a lot of questions surrounding the Bucks this offseason, but it’s pretty clear they have many irons in the fire right now.