The San Antonio Spurs are set up for the next decade with the enviable young trio of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, but they did make an interesting decision with a Golden State Warriors champion as they look to go one step further next year.
The Spurs quietly handed Harrison Barnes a one-year, $8 million contract at the start of free agency, brining the former Warrior back onto the roster at a price point that certainly belied his dwindling impact toward the end of last season.
Spurs handed Harrison Barnes surprising contract in free agency
After losing his starting role just prior to the All-Star break, Barnes was further demoted during the playoffs where his minutes fell all the way to being a DNP in each of the final three games of the Finals against the New York Knicks.
Appearing in the postseason for just the second time since his exit from Golden State in 2016, Barnes averaged only 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 9.2 minutes while shooting 33.3% from the floor and 23.1% from 3-point range.
It's therefore surprising that San Antonio then turned around and gave Barnes $8 million in free agency -- a deal that didn't generate too much attention given it came in early July while a myriad of other happenings were going on around the league.
The Spurs also signed Tobias Harris away from the Detroit Pistons on a two-year, $30.8 million contract. Combine his addition with the presence of Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson, and natural development from second-year forward Carter Bryant, and it's hard to see how Barnes earns consistent minutes that makes the $8 million deal worthwhile.
Spurs face regret over Harrison Barnes free agency deal
Many will consider that there's little downside for the Spurs. There's undoubtedly a host of much worse contracts around the league, and at the very least Barnes will bring veteran experience and leadership to a young team.
But this is also a San Antonio team that are already in the championship window, and having one more genuine rotation player during the Finals could have been a major difference in what was an ultra competitive series despite the 4-1 scoreline.
Could that money have been spent better elsewhere? Perhaps it's a deal the Spurs look to move for a rotation upgrade mid-season if Barnes struggles to rediscover his form and remains on the periphery of the rotation.
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