Harrison Barnes just made one of the dumbest decisions in recent memory. Imagine being wildly overpaid at a job you’re just mediocre at. Then, one day you say, “You know what, I’m going to quit to go somewhere else. Screw this, I deserve better.” Only to most likely get a hell of a lot less from another company who knows what they’re doing.
And wouldn’t you know, Barnes did just that. With one year and $25.1 million left on the contract, the small forward just said fuck money and decline to exercise his player option for next season with the Kings.
In seven seasons in the league, he has yet to average more than 20 PPG or even come close to being a #2 option that deserves that kind of money. Had Kyrie opted into his contract for next year, he’d be making less than Barnes. Same with Victor Oladipo, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
Barnes has no shot at even coming close to that kind of money in free agency. The guy already has a ring and doesn’t have any kind of legacy (sorry, his gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics doesn’t count either). So what is he after?
Fellow Hold My Drink writer Nick brought up the idea to me that Barnes might be opting out because of some sort of possible rift with new head coach Luke Walton; could it be that? Maybe something was there between them during Barnes’ tenure with the Warriors while Walton was an assistant. Who knows?
All I know is, stupid is as stupid does. Whatever the hell that means.
