The Indiana Pacers are interested in signing Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes this offseason, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Barnes becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30.
“League sources say that the Pacers have interest in Kings free agent-to-be Harrison Barnes, thanks at least in part to two rather prominent Barnes fans in the organization: All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton (who played with Barnes in Sacramento) and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle (who coached Barnes in Dallas),” Stein wrote.
“Although a return to Sacramento has not been completely ruled out, according to one source close to the process, Barnes is indeed a strong candidate to switch teams this offseason.”
Barnes averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists this past season for the Kings while shooting 47.3% from the field, 37.4% from beyond the arc and 84.7% from the free-throw line. He played with Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton in Sacramento and was coached by Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle on the Dallas Mavericks.
The 31-year-old Barnes has career averages of 14.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists with the Golden State Warriors, Mavericks and Kings. He won the 2015 championship with the Warriors.
The Pacers won only 35 games this past season. They finished in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings, one spot behind a potential play-in berth. Indiana hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020.
Haliburton is one of the best players in the NBA. The 23-year-old averaged 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists this past season while shooting 49.0% from the field, 40.0% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free-throw line. Haliburton recorded 32 double-doubles in 56 games.
A Wisconsin native, Haliburton has committed to play for Team USA in the upcoming FIBA World Cup in the Philippines, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Team USA starts training camp on August 3 in Las Vegas and will play its first exhibition game on August 7 against Puerto Rico. World Cup play begins on August 26 against New Zealand.
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