Harrison Barnes Re-Signs With Sacramento: Can the Kings Take the Next Step?

After a heartbreaking first-round exit in last season's playoffs, the Sacramento Kings are running it back in 2023-24, re-signing key cog Harrison Barnes to a three-year, $54 million extension.

The Kings also elected to extend forward Domantas Sabonis to a five-year, $217 million pact, ensuring two key members of their core will remain in Sacramento.

Harrison Barnes' Outlook?

Barnes, the seventh overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, has started every game he's been available for since arriving in Sacramento in the middle of the 2018-2019 season. He started 82 games for the Kings last season, averaging 32.5 minutes per game.

On a per 36-minute basis, the 31-year-old averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists during the 2022-23 season, helping the Kings record their first winning season -- and first playoff appearance -- since 2005-06. The 15.0 points per night were his fewest since 2019-20, and his three-point field goal percentage (37.4%) was his lowest since 2017-18.

With the Kings looking to take the next step and become serious contenders in the Western Conference, they will be relying on Barnes to remain a consistent contributor for the duration of this three-year deal.

Betting Odds Impact

The Kings' moves to re-sign Barnes and extend Sabonis haven't moved the needle in the betting market. Before free agency, Sacramento was +4300 to win it all, per the NBA Finals odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. They're now listed at +4500, which makes them the 14th-favorite for the title, which is the same position they held prior to free agency.

The negative shift in the Kings' odds isn't necessarily a result of the moves they made with Barnes and Sabonis. Rather, the West, as a conference, has become more difficult with the offseason moves made by the Phoenix Suns to acquire Bradley Beal. The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies have all experienced similar movements with their odds as to what the Kings have.

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