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Sacramento Kings: 3 reasons why Harrison Barnes opting-out is a good thing

By Justin Fried

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings passes the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings passes the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 11: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings passes the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Harrison Barnes (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Sacramento Kings small forward Harrison Barnes has declined his player option and has become a free agent. This is ultimately a good thing for the Kings in more ways than one.

When the Sacramento Kings acquired Harrison Barnes in February of this year, the hope was that they’d fill their hole at small forward and get a reliable added presence on the wing.

And while Barnes’ numbers didn’t exactly blow anyone away, it’s safe to say that he filled his role admirably.

Barnes averaged 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 33.9 minutes per game over 28 contests with the Kings. He served as a very steady third/fourth option on offense and played some very solid defense shoring up a Kings starting five that looked significantly more complete with him present.

However, Barnes has officially decided to decline his $25.1 million player option for the 2019-20 season. This move comes as a slight surprise but it doesn’t necessarily mean that Barnes’ time in Sacramento is up.

In fact, this is a good thing for the Kings in more ways than one. Here are three reasons why Barnes’ opt-out should be considered the best-case scenario for the Kings.

Harrison Barnes
DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 26: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half at American Airlines Center on March 26, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

1. Kings are still the favorites to bring him back

First and foremost, just because Barnes has opted out of his player option, that certainly doesn’t mean that he won’t be back with Sacramento next season. Far from it, in fact.

The Kings are reportedly still trying to work out a long-term deal with the former Golden State Warriors forward and are, at the time of writing, still considered the favorites to bring him back.

Related Story. Why the Sacramento Kings are an attractive free agent destination. light

If the two sides could, indeed, work out a contract extension, initial reports value it at around $75 million over four years. In a very deep upcoming free agent class, it’s unlikely that any team swoops in and attempts to give him any more money.

But for Barnes, the possibility of long-term stability made more sense to him than any short-term financial gain that would have come if he opted-in to his option for the 2019-20 season. And for the Kings, it’s likely that they would have tried to lock Barnes up long-term anyway.

The 2012 first-round pick is a great locker room presence and impressed in limited action last season. It’s easy to see Barnes serving as the veteran presence on a young core centering around De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley, and even Buddy Hield.

So even though he may have opted out of his player option, he hasn’t opted out of a long-term future with the Kings.

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