Harrsion Barnes-Greg Monroe Swap?
Dec 5, 2012; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
– Harrison Barnes (above) has appeared in several trade rumors in the upcoming weeks, and may be on the move come Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline, could he be dealt to the Pistons?
– As reported by Chad Ford of ESPN earlier today, the Warriors may have some interest in a deal that would surround sending Piston Power Forward Greg Monroe to the bay area for Small Forward Harrison Barnes. Any talk between the two teams may very well be still in the preliminary stages or may not even being discussed at this point, but their may be a deal brewing between the two teams.
With playing time being slim for the second year Small Forward out of the University of North Carolina and with the offseason signing of former Philadelphia 76er/Denver Nugget Small Forward Andre Iguodala, the Warriors may be interested in swapping out their reserve forward for a highly skilled big to work in the post off the bench behind David Lee and Andrew Bogut.
Having a Forward like Iguodala to bank on, the Warriors will most likely look to bolster their bench for their playoff push, but to do that, they must likely would have to be willing to part ways with Harrison Barnes.
Other than trading Greg Monroe to the Warriors, I do not think their would be much interest in any other Piston outside of maybe Rodney Stuckey who has been a “glue” guy of sorts this season for Detroit, and despite his injuries, has been having one of his better seasons in the NBA.
Again, almost everything being reported right now is just rumors or talks just in their beginning stages. Look for Detroit to be active in the next 25 hours or so leading up to the Thursday deadline.
Harrison Barnes: Golden State Warriors: SF/SG
November 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the ball against Detroit Pistons small forward Luigi Datome (13) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pistons 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
– Player Profile:
- Height: 6’8″
- Weight:210 lbs.
- Age: 21 years (Experience: 1-year)
- 2013-2014 Season: 10.4 PPG; 4.1 RPG; 1.3 APG; 3FG: 42%; FT: 74%; 29.2 MPG (Started 16/49 games)
- Career Averages (2 seasons): 9.7 PPG; 4.1 RPG; 1.3 APG; 26.8 MPG; 3FG: 38%; FT: 75%
Barnes has seen a surprising up tick in minutes this season despite the arrival of Iguodala, he has been a “go-to” guy off the pine for Mark Jackson’s squad, but some question that he may have already hit his ceiling as a player despite it being only his second season.
Barnes is also an excellent outside shooter that would fit perfectly next to Smith and Drummond on that front line, another guy to help spread the floor for the league’s worst three-point and free throw shooting team.
*Something to note with Barnes, and the Pistons. Detroit was very high on Barnes leading up to the 2012 Draft where Harrison was drafted seventh overall to the Warriors, but the Pistons didn’t do too bad either that night, drafting Andre Drummond ninth overall. Also, a Barnes/Monroe swap does work under the cap, but doubt that would do it to pry the Moose from Motown.
Make sure to stick with Life On Dumars for all the rumors and breaking news surrounding your Detroit Pistons leading up to the trade deadline.
*Statistics provided by basketball-reference.com