golden state warriors trade rumors: harrison barnes/grizzlies (Photo: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports)
As the NBA trade deadline approaches tomorrow, Thursday, February 20th, 2014, a lot of teams have called the Golden State Warriors‘ general manager Bob Myers inquiring about Harrison Barnes.
Adam Lauridsen of the San Jose Mercury News GSW Fastbreak Blog reported the following:
I'm hearing that over 20 teams have contacted the Warriors' front office with proposed trades for Harrison Barnes.
— Fast Break (@GSWFastBreak) February 19, 2014
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Also hearing that Lacob & Co. still value Barnes highly and aren't looking to move him unless it lands them Kevin Love or another All Star.
— Fast Break (@GSWFastBreak) February 19, 2014
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However, Coach Mark Jackson and floor leader Stephen Curry are ready to proceed without any roster changes. Per Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle:
“I’m comfortable with my guys. With that being said, obviously there’s no secret that every team around this league is paying attention to who’s available and who’s not available and how you can improve your roster – whether that’s just a little bit or a whole bunch,” Jackson said. “I’m very comfortable with my guys, and I’m excited about the direction we’re headed. Now, it’s about getting healthy and whole.”
And, as we reported, Curry said after the All-Star Game that he felt the front office had already made enough changes.
As for Barnes, Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group was the first to report that the chances of Barnes being traded were unlikely, although the influx of incoming calls had increased:
The calls are coming in for Harrison Barnes as the Thursday trade deadline nears. But Golden State isn’t doing much more than listening.
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While fans might be disappointed, the Warriors aren’t biting. General manager Bob Myers would deal Barnes only in a blockbuster that would significantly improve the roster, according to league sources.
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Barnes, despite playing beneath expectations, is coveted because of his high ceiling and low salary. He has two years remaining on a rookie scale contract. He is making just shy of $3 million this season — which makes his 10.4 points and 4.1 rebounds much easier to swallow — and $6.9 million total the next two seasons.
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Barnes won’t be traded for bench help. But most players the Warriors would want in return have larger salaries, which means Golden State would have to part with Barnes plus others to make it work.
Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports, who joined our podcast last week, then followed up that report in his weekly team rankings piece by saying Barnes had been told he wouldn’t be traded unless there was a “blockbuster deal”:
10. Golden State Warriors (31-22; last week’s ranking: 9): Golden State executives have told forward Harrison Barnes that, barring a blockbuster offer, he will not be traded before Thursday’s deadline, sources said.
Sam Amick of USA Today then tweeted the following this morning:
As Memphis tries to upgrade small forward spot, I'm told they've been among the many teams pursuing the Warriors' Harrison Barnes.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 19, 2014
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Golden State is searching for quality backup bigs, but safe to say a deal for Kosta Koufos won't be enough to get Barnes in a Griz jersey.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 19, 2014
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There have also been discussions on small forward Luol Deng and point guard Steve Blake:
In making Luol Deng available, as reported by ESPN, sources say #Cavs have spoken with #Kings and #Warriors.
— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) February 19, 2014
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@ThompsonScribe FWIW – Lakers pretty fond of Blake – don't believe he's on the "dump for savings" list
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) February 19, 2014
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