Harrison Barnes signed a max deal this summer with the Dallas Mavericks worth up to $94 million over four years. That is a lot of money for a guy who was arguably the fourth option most offensive possessions down the floor for the Warriors. Another notable factor to Barnes’ contract situation is that he is receiving this kind of money after a down year for his standards.
Barnes only was able to produce 9 points and 4.7 rebounds throughout the playoffs and shot a poor 34% from the floor. In a time where the Warriors needed players to step up, Barnes was one of the players that was no where to be found.
Regardless of this, Mark Cuban made the move, and even thinks that Barnes will be the first option for the Mavericks.
With that being said, Barnes is going to be in a position he has not seen since college, which is being the number one option. This may be something that fits Barnes better. It is going to be tough for Barnes to be the true number one option when you have a guy like Dirk Nowitzki still on the team. Even though Nowitzki is at the end of his career, one would assume that Nowitzki will want the ball in his hands in important possessions. He has delivered in those scenarios too many times before to not deserve the ball. Barnes will have to earn that respect from Nowitzki.
The Mavericks are a team in a turnover phase for once Dirk retires. They are looking to find the next guy up in their franchise. They have found a steal in a guy like Justin Anderson, and Barnes is part of the young breed for the future.
Only time will tell if Barnes is ready for this transition, but he has the tangibles to do so. He just has to create that killer instinct to do so.
