Could Durant Rumors Wake Up Harrison Barnes?

Few things divide the Golden State Warriors’ passionate fan base more than forward Harrison Barnes‘ role and future.

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The question of whether or not the defending champs should pursue former-MVP Kevin Durant is an even bigger conundrum. Of course, these are mutually exclusive issues. Barnes cannot be kept if the Warriors want Durant. The takes have been hot, ranging from Golden State becoming a dynasty or crashing and burning in both scenarios. But could the rumors and the storylines turn Barnes into the player the Warriors need him to be if they are to keep him?

Let’s be clear: the Golden State Warriors can (and probably will) win NBA championships with Barnes as a starter. I mean, they already have one under their belt. The Warriors have raced off to the hottest start in league history with Barnes starting 27 games and appearing in 34. Harrison Barnes is not a bad basketball player. He’s a competent outside shooter with the versatility to play both forward positions.

So what’s the problem with paying Barnes what he wants?

Well, Barnes hasn’t progressed to where he is “supposed” to be. Sure, this is his best scoring season. But this is year four for the former North Carolina Tar Heel and the rest of his game hasn’t taken that jump that Klay Thompson‘s and Draymond Green‘s did. He’s a three-and-D player who shoots under 40% from beyond the arc. In essence, Barnes seems to be replaceable.

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But Harrison Barnes has this (frustrating) habit of stepping up just as you’re about to write him off. Many were convinced three years ago that he was the league’s next superstar and his gutsy performances against the San Antonio Spurs in the postseason seemed to confirm that. When moved to the bench in favor of Andre Iguodala, Barnes didn’t look like he belonged on an NBA court at times. Once re-inserted into the starting lineup, Barnes had a career year, starting for the world champion Warriors.

This season has been an up and down one for Barnes. He averaged over 14 points per game through the season’s first 15 contests, looking, at times, like he was ready to take the next step. But then he dealt with an ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks. What was most alarming about Barnes’ absence was that the Warriors didn’t miss a beat.

With a struggling Marreese Speights and Jason Thompson, Barnes’ ability to play the stretch four was missed, but Brandon Rush took over the starting spot and kept the chains moving for Golden State. In fact, the team might have even been better at times. Since returning, Barnes hasn’t done anything incredible.

But in the Warriors’ win against Oklahoma City, Barnes dropped 19 points on 8-14 shooting. He didn’t play a great game (-7 in 35 minutes), but he provided some scoring for Golden State. It was the first time he scored more than 13 points in several weeks. It just so happened that the man that is rumored to be his replacement played opposite Barnes.

The issue with Barnes isn’t that he’s not good, it’s just that he’s not where he should be for the money that he wants.

Barnes has a knack of stepping up in big moments. The playoff series against the Spurs comes to mind. Playing a small ball four, he helped the Warriors secure a title in Cleveland. He recently hit a game-winning jumper against the Philadelphia 76ers. Barnes can disappear for 46 minutes then hit a turnaround jumper with time winding down. Or score 19 points in a game against Kevin Durant.

Perhaps the Durant rumors are a wake up call. Just like the trade rumblings following his sophomore season surely motivated him to have a career year in his third season. Barnes may not be the star that many predicted he would be coming into the league (some even suggested that he would be better than Stephen Curry).

If not, then Barnes is replaceable. Rush’s performance proved that. The Warriors won’t and shouldn’t pay him more than Thompson and Green. The issue with Barnes isn’t that he’s not good, it’s just that he’s not where he should be for the money that he wants.

But maybe Kevin Durant’s presence is enough to force him to step his game up.

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