Can Harrison Barnes break out like James Harden if he goes to another team?

[turk3d]

Barnes tearing it up in the first half of tonights game against Denver.

Guess I called this too soon.

[JDizzel3000]

Don't see why he can't become a jimmy butler quality wing

Jimmy's handle is much, much better than Barnes'. I think you've got to look more toward the Rudy Gay comparison than the Jimmy Butler one.

Much much better ball handler?? Mehhhhh I don't know about that and Harrison appears to be a much much more efficient player than Gay ....I don't believe in that comparison ....I always said he had the upside to be Glenn Rice-ish

[Spintown]

i dont know about breaking out like james harden but hes definitely better than how most people in this thread view him. I would take him on my team any day over the likes of gay, parsons, gallinari, wilson chandlers.

[turk3d]

For some reason, It seems that Barnes is just some guy that Realgm posters love to hate. Why, I don't know.

[old rem]

For some reason, It seems that Barnes is just some guy that Realgm posters love to hate. Why, I don't know.

Hate ? I dunno. the "rumors" that price him close to $20 mill...may factor. You start thinking over hyped or overpaid. He's a SF.. not a SG but..anyhow he's not like Butler or Harden. Barnes is good, not saying he's not, but right now? maybe a bit above avg for a starting SF, he hasn't shown a big curve,in progress, so he will get better.. but don't expect a big jump.

[jason bourne]

I like Barnes, but his usage is too low to be another Harden. It's hard to say how high his ceiling is since he's on the Warriors, but I don't think he'll be a Gordon Hayward or Gallo. Maybe DeMarre Carroll prime or Jae Crowder with a skosh more offense and 3-pt shooting ability. I think he can average 20/8/4 which is probably the 3rd option on a good team. If he can become a 2nd option, then it would be a surprise.

[turk3d]

For some reason, It seems that Barnes is just some guy that Realgm posters love to hate. Why, I don't know.

Hate ? I dunno. the "rumors" that price him close to $20 mill...may factor. You start thinking over hyped or overpaid. He's a SF.. not a SG but..anyhow he's not like Butler or Harden. Barnes is good, not saying he's not, but right now? maybe a bit above avg for a starting SF, he hasn't shown a big curve,in progress, so he will get better.. but don't expect a big jump.

This was before he becomes $20M. AMOF he's making less than $4M this year. And the hate has been pretty much since he came into the league. I don't care what he might be making, I care what he's making this year and at < $4M, for what he gives us, I consider him a real bargain. Next year might be a different story however.

[giberish]

For some reason, It seems that Barnes is just some guy that Realgm posters love to hate. Why, I don't know.

Partly it's in response to people who compare him to Harden or Kwahi as seen in this thread. By that standard he's not good at all.

Of course the odd thing to me is that Barnes really isn't outstanding in any way, good or bad yet he gets routinely compared to elite players - and at other times to major liabilities like Jeff Green. There's value in being decent all-around (probably more than in specialists who are great at some things and bad at others as they can be more easily game-planned against) but he just isn't that interesting.

[likashing]

Harden was at MVP level last season, and "break out like James Harden" is a pretty high bar. It will be difficult for Barnes to reach that level.

Having said that, to those who don't think Barnes can average 20 points, I believe Barnes can easily average 20 points as the #1 or #2 offensive option.

He can score very efficiently. His ts% is 58.3% this season, improving from 57.3% last season. You might say that he gets all the easy looks because Curry and Thompson get all the attention, right?

So let's look at his stats without Curry and Thompson below, his ts% is even higher at 59.6% and he averages 19 points (14 fga) per 36 minutes. The Warriors without Curry and Thompson will be your typical average or below average team. If he gets ~17 fga which most of the 20+ ppg players get as the #1 or #2 option, he can easily average 20 points.

http://nbawowy-52108.onmodulus.net/rtct1uslu2xu5wmi

[DAWill1128]

Pre-draft I saw him to be like luol deng in terms of what he could do at the pro level. After Barnes first year I seriously wondered if he would become the top player on the team. What I've come to realize at this point in his career is that he's an incredible player, great basketball build and a feathery touch. Barnes numbers are definitely skewed a little low from playing on such a deep team.

But being a #1 option requires playmaking ability, the ability to draw the double team is the most important aspect of basketball. Barnes despite some great skills isn't a great playmaker or overwhelming physical presence on the post up.

[turk3d]

Pre-draft I saw him to be like luol deng in terms of what he could do at the pro level. After Barnes first year I seriously wondered if he would become the top player on the team. What I've come to realize at this point in his career is that he's an incredible player, great basketball build and a feathery touch. Barnes numbers are definitely skewed a little low from playing on such a deep team.

But being a #1 option requires playmaking ability, the ability to draw the double team is the most important aspect of basketball. Barnes despite some great skills isn't a great playmaker or overwhelming physical presence on the post up.

Getting better in those areas though. Actually. good post.

[Chris Porter's Hair]

I don't even especially like Harden, and I don't think Barnes has the upside to be in the same discussion as him. Harden has his weaknesses, but at the offensive end he does some things very few people in the league can do. I'm not sure that is true of Barnes along any axis. He's good. He is well rounded, and could be above average in a lot of things. But he doesn't bring much of anything to the table that would ever make him irreplaceable. That becomes particularly pivotal when we start having to ask questions like, "Is he worth $20m a year". He is good, I think he could still get better, but I doubt he'll ever be irreplaceable, and certainly not if you're willing to spend that kind of money.

[daoneandonly]

I think Barnes is a solid rotation guy, but not a guy you build your team around. He's got skills on both ends of the court, but is lacking the intangibles.

[DanTown8587]

I love how the prevailing thought is that Curry and Green (and to an extent but significantly less Thompson) are these dynamic game changing players and then the discussion is now making it's way to Harrison Barnes. Barnes is quite vital to what they want to do (that small ball four who hits threes, defensive rebounds, and doesn't get bullied, can switch on the perimeter) but he's not a guy who you want to have an expanded role on a contending team.

My assumption: a team gives him a damn near close max deal, the Warriors fear having to replace Barnes internally/cheaply via FA and they resign him but then a team gives a large offer for Ezeli as the guy they really want.

[moocow007]

It's definitely going to be interesting to see how much money the Warriors are going to spend to keep this team together.

[Chi town]

IMO Barnes is an efficient 18 and 8 defensive #2 option. He will get $20M per.

My Bulls will give it to him. He fits perfect next to Jimmy Butler and he's best friends w Dougie. Really like a closing lineup of Jimmy Dougie Barnes. Barnes will only get better.

[turk3d]

IMO Barnes is an efficient 18 and 8 defensive #2 option. He will get $20M per.

My Bulls will give it to him. He fits perfect next to Jimmy Butler and he's best friends w Dougie. Really like a closing lineup of Jimmy Dougie Barnes. Barnes will only get better.

I agree. I think Chicago would be a good landing spot for him and since you're in a different conference, Golden State wouldn't mind too much and probably wouldn't try to match.

[Chi town]

IMO Barnes is an efficient 18 and 8 defensive #2 option. He will get $20M per.

My Bulls will give it to him. He fits perfect next to Jimmy Butler and he's best friends w Dougie. Really like a closing lineup of Jimmy Dougie Barnes. Barnes will only get better.

I agree. I think Chicago would be a good landing spot for him and since you're in a different conference, Golden State wouldn't mind too much and probably wouldn't try to match.

The question is whether or not Barnes wants to stay 4th fiddle and take less money. I don't think he does.

Next question does he prefer to get MAX money and be a 1st option on a bad team like the Lakers or be 2nd option on a contending team and take a little bit less money.

I'm also interested to see what Batum signs for. 18M per?

[likashing]

If the Warriors win again this year and if the small ball line up is the key, the Warriors will match even a max contract.

In fact, another team's 4.5% raise max contract is a better deal too.

The tax threshold will be $120m+ after 16 and the Warriors can pay the tax as long as they don't get into repeater tax. The numbers work, including Ezeli.

The Warriors can match anything. The question is whether Barnes is worth their cap space.

The assumption that if you offer max you can get Barnes is wrong.

[turk3d]

IMO Barnes is an efficient 18 and 8 defensive #2 option. He will get $20M per.

My Bulls will give it to him. He fits perfect next to Jimmy Butler and he's best friends w Dougie. Really like a closing lineup of Jimmy Dougie Barnes. Barnes will only get better.

I agree. I think Chicago would be a good landing spot for him and since you're in a different conference, Golden State wouldn't mind too much and probably wouldn't try to match.

The question is whether or not Barnes wants to stay 4th fiddle and take less money. I don't think he does.

Next question does he prefer to get MAX money and be a 1st option on a bad team like the Lakers or be 2nd option on a contending team and take a little bit less money.

I'm also interested to see what Batum signs for. 18M per?

I think that Batum is probably the benchmark (along with Barnes for those looking to acquire a SF this off season and will ultimately determine the going rate). I'm not sure if Batum is going to be willing to leave Charlotte (especially if the give the deal he wants). I think we have to see how things turn out for both these players at seasons end. I think we also have to see how the Dubs do as well.

If they win a ring and Barnes is a major contributor, then it's certainly possible they'll want to hold onto him, but if they don't win another ring (and he's a strong part of why they don't) well that's an entirely different story. However, I don't see him being traded at all this season, we'll have to wait to see what all interested parties do at that time. There's always a possibility of a S & T (if the Warriors could be enticed by the right package in return).