Examining why targeting Harrison Barnes in 2016 NBA free agency would be a bad idea for the Lakers
Without question, 2016 NBA free agency is going to be huge for the Los Angeles Lakers given the position that they’re in as a franchise. Not only are they going to be rolling in cap space this summer, but they’re also almost surely going to be trying to expedite the ongoing rebuilding process.
There are obviously going to be big decisions on the horizon for the Lakers given the amount of cap space that they have and the high profile free agents that should be available on the open market. However, the question is which players make the most sense for them and which players should be the ones that they stay away from.
One of the biggest names that’s going to hit NBA free agency this summer is going to be Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes. He’s been highly touted as a player in regards to his physical gifts and talent going all the way back to his recruitment by North Carolina in college. Despite being essentially a role player in Golden State, that talent and perceived potential is going to make Barnes a rich man this summer.
The question, though, is going to be whether or not the Lakers should make Harrison Barnes one of their targets in NBA free agency.
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As stated, Barnes has everything that a team like the Lakers would want from a young player that they’d throw a big (or max) contract at. He’s a long, athletic defender that can defend multiple positions on the wing and even down in the post for stretches in addition to being a versatile offensive threat and a player who can fill it up from long range. All of those things are desperate needs for the Lakers in their current state.
However, the crux of the issue is the fact that Barnes is expected to be given a max contract from someone as a restricted free agent to, at the very least, put the Warriors in the position to make a tough decision. To make such a move, though, that team has to be willing to pay the forward that type of money.
If you’re the Lakers, a team coming off it’s worst two-year run in franchise history and in the midst of an extensive rebuild to transition into a post-Kobe Bryant era, any player that you are willing to pay a max contract has to be a sure thing. The Lakers aren’t particularly in a position where they can take a huge risk because failing at that price would be so detrimental to the future of the organization.
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As such, the Lakers should avoid targeting Harrison Barnes in free agency this summer. Though he’s a talented and intriguing player with a ton of upside and could wind up being a star, the Lakers aren’t in a position where they can incur the risk that comes with signing him to the deal he’ll command.