After being an awful team over the past three seasons, the Houston Rockets seem to be on the rise.
With a 19-20 record, they’re looking to get into the Western Conference play-in tournament picture, and they have a rising star in center Alperen Sengun.
But the Rockets aren’t looking to stand pat and let their growth run its course — they’re reportedly interested in trading for Sacramento Kings veteran Harrison Barnes, per Marc Stein via Basketball On X.
Rockets have a level of interest in Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes; per @TheSteinLine
“The Kings, though, are openly trying to use Barnes’ deal as the centerpiece of a trade package for a big-swing acquisition”
[https://t.co/MZdsLb63jS] pic.twitter.com/wzx42FOUdS
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BasketballOnX) January 16, 2024
Barnes is in his 12th season out of the University of North Carolina, and while the former No. 7 overall pick has seen his scoring decline, he’s still a legitimate 3-and-D player.
He’s shooting 39.9 percent from 3-point range this season, and he was a key part of Sacramento’s success last season when they finished third in the Western Conference and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Houston has impact players in Sengun and veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, but they could use another forward with size and length who can be a scoring threat for them.
At 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds, Barnes plays mostly the 4, and he can help a team that ranks just 19th in 3-point accuracy, 21st in offensive rating, and 22nd in points per game.
He also won an NBA championship several years ago while he was with the Golden State Warriors, so he could also give the Rockets some much-needed veteran experience and know-how.
The question is what they have and would be willing to give up that the Kings would welcome in return for Barnes.
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