As the NBA’s Feb. 8 trade deadline looms, finding a backup center to play behind rising star Alperen Sengun has been of interest to the Rockets. More shooting to space the floor for Houston’s young All-Star candidate could also be beneficial.
Given that dynamic, veteran NBA scribe Marc Stein reports veteran forward Harrison Barnes, now with the Sacramento Kings, could be a trade target for the Rockets.
In his latest newsletter, Stein writes:
The Rockets are known to be in the market for additional size in support of rising star Alperen Şengün and possess two trade-friendly contracts: Victor Oladipo’s expiring $9.5 million deal and Jock Landale’s four-year, $32 million deal that is only guaranteed this season.
League sources say the Rockets also have a level of interest in Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes in their quest to add shooting.
Now 31 years old, the 6-foot-7 Barnes is averaging 10.8 points (47.8% FG, 39.9% on 3-pointers) and 2.8 rebounds in 29.1 minutes per game this season. Also a reliable defender, Barnes is under contract at approximately $18 million annually through the 2025-26 season.
Rockets have a level of interest in Sacramento's Harrison Barnes; per @TheSteinLine
“The Kings, though, are openly trying to use Barnes' deal as the centerpiece of a trade package for a big-swing acquisition”
[https://t.co/MZdsLb63jS] pic.twitter.com/wzx42FOUdS
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BasketballOnX) January 16, 2024
By combining Landale and Oladipo, the Rockets could easily meet that salary figure. The question is whether Houston and Sacramento could then agree on value compensation (likely future draft equity or another player, be it from Houston’s roster or a potential third-team trade partner) to be sent along with those expiring deals.
Stein also writes Sacramento “is openly trying to use Barnes’ deal as the centerpiece of a trade package for a big-swing acquisition.”
Whether they can pull that off and make Barnes unattainable for Houston, stay tuned.
