Is Harrison Barnes A Realistic Trade Target For The Boston Celtics?

Harrison Barnes has become a very popular name among Celtics fans of late, and rightfully so. Boston is 13-13 and in need of reinforcements at next month’s trade deadline, something that has become even more apparent of late. But it is increasingly likely that the 28-year-old wing may not be available as the deadline nears.

The Athletic’s Sam Amick recently reported that Barnes was known to be on the Celtics radar, however, some sources had received the impression that the Kings were not willing to part ways with him. That shouldn’t come as a surprise given Barnes and Sacramento’s early-season success. He is averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 48% shooting (38.8% 3PT) through 27 games, quickly becoming a central part of their winning ways.

The Kings won seven of eight games between January 22 and February 7, placing them firmly in contention for a spot at the bottom of the Western Conference playoff picture, whether it be a play-in spot or otherwise. But since then, Sacramento has lost four in a row, dropping its record to 12-15 (11th in the West). What if the Kings continue to slide? Does that mean Monte McNair is more likely to listen to offers for Barnes? It’s difficult to say.

De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton have been terrific for Sacramento, painting a bright future for the Kings backcourt. But Barnes is playing the best basketball of his professional career while averaging a team-high 35.1 minutes per game. He’s been beyond solid for Luke Walton, and his contract’s declining scale over the next two seasons gives him additional appeal if he were to remain in Sacramento. It makes sense if McNair wants to stick with him for the time being if the goal is to make the playoffs, but there certainly is an argument to be made for the opposing opinion.

Barnes doesn’t necessarily fit the Kings’ timeline at 28 years old. Trading him would clear space for Sacramento and could allow McNair to find a few younger players on track with Fox and Haliburton. Selling high on Barnes at this stage of his career could be a wise move in itself, as it’s likely his value moves in the other direction over the next few years. That being said, the Kings’ front office and ownership could very well be set on winning now and sneaking into the back-end of the Western Conference playoff picture. If that’s the case, it’s time for the Celtics (and Celtics fans) to look elsewhere.

Boston’s $28.5 million trade exception gives Danny Ainge plenty of options ahead of next month’s deadline, and Barnes isn’t the only target worth considering in Sacramento. Nemanja Bjelica has played in just 13 games this season, and it appears he is firmly on the trading block after falling out of Walton’s rotation. At 32, he doesn’t provide a ton of upside, but the addition of Bjelica would give Boston a proven stretch four making roughly $7.2 million in the final year of his contract. He hasn’t bee

No, Bjelica is not the best option for Boston in any potential trade talks with the Kings, but there’s a good chance Barnes is not on the table. In a season where there appear to be more buyers than sellers ahead of the deadline, Boston will need to look at every possible option, and Bjelica undoubtedly is on that list alongside Thaddeus Young, P.J. Tucker and others.

The Celtics need help. Ainge and Co. need to make life easier for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and they are well aware of the added flexibility thanks to the traded player exception. The pressure is mounting to put that asset to use over the next month, and I have no doubt they will, it’s just a question of where they turn.

Yes, it is clear that Barnes would be a terrific fit to help out the All-NBA efforts of Brown and Tatum, but looking elsewhere seems to be a more realistic approach at this point in the season.