Why Barnes Gave Up Millions in Kings’ DeRozan Deal with Spurs, Bulls originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
When Harrison Barnes signed a three-year, $54 million contract to stay with the Kings last summer, the deal included a 10 percent trade kicker.
If the Kings traded him, Barnes would receive a 10% salary bonus on the remaining money on his contract with Sacramento.
Barnes revealed to reporters during his introductory press conference with the Spurs on Tuesday that he actually resigned from the entire trade kicker to help facilitate three-team agreement which sent six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan to the Kings.
“There were definitely options where that was a factor, whether or not he would resign,” Barnes told reporters. “Because of the possibility of coming to San Antonio, it was a very easy decision for me.”
Barnes spent six seasons with the Kings, becoming a key part of the 2022-23 team that ended the franchise’s 17-year playoff drought.
But as the Kings looked for a way to improve a roster that missed the playoffs last season, Barnes’ salary was key to making any blockbuster trade work.
Barnes is scheduled to gross US$18 million during the 2024-25 season and $19 million in 2025-26, via Spotrac, meaning he has given up the ability to make a Extra $3.7 million through trade kicker.
Barnes explained why the Spurs, who finished with the second-worst record in the Western Conference last season (22-60), were so attractive to him.
“Just the opportunity,” Barnes said. “It’s funny. With the new CBA, trade kicker has become more of a play than I expected. But I think just the opportunity to come here and play [coach Gregg Popovich], playing with this group, I think it’s exciting, just because it takes a while to build things in this league, and to be good, you have to have a formula for success, and I think over the years, the Spurs have been one of the teams toughest teams I’ve competed against. They have been a first-class organization in every way.”
Barnes joins former Warriors point guard Chris Paul as a veteran of the Spurs this summer, joining forces with 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama and young wings Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan.
Just as Barnes helped guide a young Kings team from NBA lottery team to playoff contender, he will try to do the same with the Spurs, his fourth different franchise.
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