The Houston Rockets are all in on this season, capitalizing on their strides after finishing last year as an NBA bottom-dweller.
So that means they are likely to look for more veteran help next to the likes of guard Fred VanVleet and forward Dillon Brooks.
One player drawing their interest? Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line. The Kings reportedly have been calling teams and floating the names of Barnes and shooting guard Kevin Huerter.
“League sources say that the Rockets also have a level of interest in Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes in their quest to add shooting,” Stein wrote. “The Kings, though, are openly trying to use Barnes’ deal (this is Year 1 of a three-year, $54 million extension) as the centerpiece of a trade package for a big-swing acquisition.”
Barnes is averaging 10.8 points and 2.8 rebounds this season, shooting 48 percent from the field and 40 percent on 3-pointers. His contract calls for him to make $17 million this season.
Meanwhile, Houston is 19-20 on the year, which is a vast improvement from last season — with the likes of VanVleet, Brooks and first-year coach Ime Udoka getting a lion’s share of the credit for the rise.
Adding a player such as Barnes wouldn’t be considered a “splashy” move, but could prove to be a good fit and help the Rockets take the next step.
Barnes, 31, carries NBA career averages of 14.1 points and 4.9 rebounds with the Kings, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks. He was a member of Golden State’s 2015 championship-winning team.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 8.
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