NBA Rumors: Dallas Mavericks To Sign Harrison Barnes To An Offer Sheet
The Dallas Mavericks seem to be on the verge of doing something big in NBA free agency. There were rumors circulating about the Mavericks’ interest in restricted free agent Harrison Barnes. It is possible that the Mavericks were preparing to give the forward a tender offer within the next few hours or days.
According to ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks are reportedly handing over a four-year, $95 million offer sheet for Harrison Barnes. It will be on the Golden State Warriors to match the contract, or let him walk in free agency. Normally, NBA teams have only three days to match a tendered offer. Since the league’s fiscal year does not begin until July 10, the Warriors would have a longer time frame to consider matching the Mavericks’ offer to Barnes.
Everything will likely depend on how the rest of the weekend works out. Several of the bigger named free agents are going off the board one at a time. While Kevin Durant, the biggest name in free agency, is still entertaining teams, nearly all of the top free agents have agreed on contracts.
Al Horford signed with the Boston Celtics for four years and $113 million. Hassan Whiteside stayed with the Miami Heat on a maximum deal. The biggest shocker was Mike Conley, who signed the largest contract of the free agency period thus far.
Mavericks intend to sign RFA Harrison Barnes to 4-yr max offer sheet worth an estimated $95M. (via @ESPNSteinLine) pic.twitter.com/WOCV8juxmD
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 3, 2016
It must be noted that the Dallas Mavericks were one of the teams interested in Conley. The record breaking, five-year, $153 million contract he signed to remain with the Memphis Grizzlies means that the Bulls were never in the running.
Who the Mavericks are in the running for is Harrison Barnes.
People spotted Barnes in Chicago on Thursday, perhaps getting ready for a meeting with the Chicago Bulls’ representatives on Friday. Now with the news that he is close to signing the tender offer from the Dallas Mavericks, things have changed.
For the Mavericks, their interest in Harrison Barnes is not a surprise. They lost small forward Chandler Parsons, who agreed to join the Memphis Grizzlies. His departure creates a need for a shooter. Harrison Barnes has a good, albeit inconsistent, perimeter jump shot. Despite his uneven NBA Finals performance, he can open the open corner three-point shot.
Last season the Mavericks were one of the least athletic teams in the NBA. A freakish athlete, Barnes has plenty of room to grow. He also has a game that is yet to fully develop. He has the potential to grow into a 20-point scorer in the NBA. What he needs is the opportunity to spread his wings with a different team. The Dallas hope it can happen with them.
Harrison Barnes may understand that his ceiling will never be reached with the Golden State Warriors. Right now he is the fourth scoring option at best on a team loaded with talent. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are all signed for the next few years. Neither of them are going anywhere anytime soon. It would only get worse if the Warriors sign Kevin Durant.
No such problems exist on the Mavericks. They will likely have Dirk Nowitzki return for another season. Wesley Matthews will be another year removed from tearing his Achilles. Also, Deron Williams has one more year left on his deal. If the Warriors do not match the Mavericks’ offer to Harrison Barnes, they will have an heir apparent to Nowitzki, who will look to retire within the next few seasons. It will be a passing of the torch, so to speak.
The Dallas Mavericks finally made their first move in NBA free agency, signing Harrison Barnes to an offer sheet worth a maximum of $95 million. The Mavericks now play the waiting game to see if the Golden State Warriors match. Things are about to get interesting in Dallas.
[Photo by AP Images]
