Milwaukee Bucks: Why adding Harrison Barnes makes sense in package deal – Barnes’ locker room presence
While the Bucks will certainly give plenty of thought to Barnes’ on-court fit first when weighing a possible deal, the intangibles he carries is something that naturally comes into the conversation.
The Bucks organization under general manager Jon Horst have gone to great lengths in terms of keeping their chemistry in mind and valuing high-character players as we’ve seen in recent years. Given the massive season they’re entering, with endless speculation swirling around Antetokounmpo in particular, the Bucks will and should continue to adhere to that line of thinking.
By all accounts, Barnes fits in with the types of players and people the Bucks have historically valued in building up the team and obviously comes with championship experience dating back to his time with the Golden State Warriors.
Barnes was among the five players to be honored with this year’s NBA Cares Community Assist award last season. Along with that, the Iowa native was named to the NBA’s foundation in their efforts to fight against racial injustice, which also featured Bucks wing Sterling Brown being named to the social justice coalition.
Having been exposed to great locker room leaders over his journeyed NBA career, Barnes opened up to Dime’s Martin Rickman about embracing his role as a leader in the locker room at this stage:
"“Yeah, I would say my leadership style is growing. Just coming up into the league, I had great examples of great players to learn from, to play alongside, whether it’s Steph, whether it’s Dirk, whether it’s an ultimate professional, like a guy like Andre Iguodala. So to be able to be around those guys and their leadership styles, it was always, the work came first. I’m going to be the hardest worker in the room. I’m going to take care of my body. I’m going to do the things I can do to excel physically, every single day. So, that’s definitely a style I approach, I embody. But, as I’ve gotten older, I realize how important your voice is. And, while I’m an open book, it’s not necessarily my nature to necessarily go to somebody and, not tell them what to do, but subtly suggest what to do. So, that’s been an area of growth for me actually, just in terms of how I can engage younger guys and how I can, whether it’s share my experience, give my expertise, give my two cents, so they can get the most out of their abilities.”"
As the Bucks continue to scour any and all avenues to acquire the prized Bogdanovic, they could do worse in adding Barnes into a deal and into the organization, given the skills and traits he possesses.