Harrison Barnes' value is still undetermined. He is obviously very talented but just how much is he worth?
For the Golden State Warriors' he is probably, at best, the fourth option behind Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, not even considering NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.
Yet, due to the timing of his free agency, there is a huge possibility that Barnes' may become the Warriors' highest paid player, as illustrated by Zach Lowe of Grantland.
"Barnes is right to bet on someone offering him a max deal - averaging as much as $23 million per season - if he gets to free agency. There is too much cap money for a blah free-agent class."
That would make his take almost twice the amount of last year's NBA Most Valuable Player Steph Curry. This idea has brought dissension among Warriors' fans, as noted by Golden State Of Mind, a Warriors fansite.
To avoid such a scenario, a trade has been proposed that can provide the Warriors with cap space to actually stay in the hunt for top free agents, Kevin Durant included.
"Harrison Barnes and Brandon Rush for Justin Anderson and Raymond Felton
I'm not even going into Felton, needless to say he would be waived."
Justin Anderson is the 21st overall pick in the 2015 draft and he has been heavily hyped. However, the Dallas Mavericks are strapped for talent, and any chance they can nab a talent like Barnes, they would grab it.
It would hard to sell on the fans, as the proposal's author admits but he presents his arguments.
"Anderson can slot straight into Barnes' starting slot and the rest of the Warriors don't skip a beat, Iguodola can stay on the bench as the sixth man and offer guidance for the rook.
It may free up a couple more minutes for Kevon Looney and James Michael McAdoo that otherwise wouldn't be available. Barnes salary demands become Cubans problem."
Harrison Barnes is a luxury for the Warriors at this point, but he may become too expensive for his own good. However, to lose him for an unproven talent may not be in consideration.
Still, if Anderson lives up to the hype, the Warriors may take a second look especially if chances of keeping Barnes are slim.