7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline

3. Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings

What about a family reunion? In 2016 the Warriors pushed Harrison Barnes out the door in order to clear the cap space to sign Kevin Durant; that’s not a move anyone could blame the Warriors for doing, as it led to two titles and three-straight Finals appearances, but Barnes was a beloved member of their core.

He could return if the Sacramento Kings and former Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown answer the phone call about a Klay Thompson trade. If the Warriors are looking to move off of Thompson’s money and get back useable players but not attach other assets to the deal, a player like Barnes could be the perfect centerpiece of a return.

There would need to be other salary involved, perhaps as a three-team deal, but Barnes could step in as an incredibly versatile sixth man to back up Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green at the forward spots. He has shot 38.7 percent from deep in five seasons with the Kings, is a strong defender and an underrated ball-mover.

In other words, he would be a seamless fit back into the Warriors’ system, and at just 31 years old has plenty of gas left in the tank to transition into a solid veteran role player. He isn’t much of a star return for Thompson, but he is a player the Warriors can trust that they can go to war with.