The Golden State Warriors are so close to a victory in the NBA finals, but the interest is also in the NBA trade, which will reportedly separate Harrison Barnes from the franchise.
The latest NBA trade rumors claim that the Los Angeles Lakers will make sure that this parting will indeed happen. After Kobe Bryant's retirement the team turns to the NBA free agency to rebuild its team.
In desperate need of a small forward, the Lakers are heavily pursuing Barnes, as per the NBA trade rumors. However, Golden States Warriors owner Joe Lacob is too impressed by Barnes to let him wander off.
"I think that all along that they were not going to let him go unless they fell down and didn't win it all. It might just be that they're trying to push down offers, but that's the message," Sean Deveney of The Sporting News said.
The sports analyst adds that Lacob has no problem when it comes to Barnes' paycheck. The small forward has been an asset this season as the Warriors stand on the brink of winning it all and it will be remiss to let go of such talent.
For this postseason, Barnes had an impressive run with average of 9.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. His performance last season was more notable with 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest.
While it's all but confirmed that Barnes isn't breaking up with the Warriors next season (his records show it all), Deveney suggested that it will still be up to the 24-year-old whether he stays or he goes.
"If Barnes determines he would like to have a chance to be a more featured part of an offense, the Warriors would likely honor that — especially if a sign-and-trade deal could be worked out," Deveney said.
It looks like for this year's NBA trade, the Lakers will have to look elsewhere for the right player to fill the huge gap Bryant left.
