Milwaukee Bucks: 3 reasons to avoid Harrison Barnes in trade talks

Milwaukee Bucks: 3 reasons to avoid Harrison Barnes in trade talks – Barnes’ hefty salary

Barnes earned himself a lucrative payday last offseason, inking a four-year, $85 million contract extension with the Kings. Just over a year later, the question is swirling whether they significantly overpaid for the swingman.

In 2019-20, Barnes averaged just 14.5 points on .460/.381/.801 shooting splits, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 34.5 minutes per game. Following an unfortunate trend, the forward has regressed in several statistical categories in each of his seasons following a breakout 2016-17 campaign, and the question as to whether he is worth nearly $20 million annually is surely justifiable.

Owed $60.7 million over the next three seasons, absorbing Barnes would be an expensive acquisition, especially with Bogdanovic looking for a new deal himself. For the Bucks, a team strapped financially, bringing both aboard is far easier said than done.

While the Bucks would certainly welcome Barnes’ scoring prowess and floor spacing on the perimeter, the price tag that comes with it is controversial. Milwaukee would have to put together a sizeable package to land Barnes while also pulling some strings to get Bogdanovic signed long-term, although it is possible.

With a title under his belt from his 2014-15 campaign with the Golden State Warriors, Barnes can be a viable role player on a championship team, which is what the Bucks need right now to some extent. However, his fit with this current Milwaukee team is questionable.