3 reasons Cavs should trade Kings for Harrison Barnes

Cavs trade for Harrison Barnes trade scenarios

Scenario No. 1:

While using the No. 14 pick in the draft could be useful to the Cavs, they aren’t going to find a player like Barnes that could be inserted into the starting lineup on day one.

Caris LeVert was brought to Cleveland in a late-season trade with the Indiana Pacers. While LeVert can score his consistency to score points can wane at times and that hurt the team a few times in key moments late in the year.

While Barnes has some question marks playing defense, getting a player that can score when needed would be a big upgrade for a Cavs team ready to take that next step into the playoffs.

Scenario No. 2:

This trade offer wouldn’t have Cleveland trading their No. 14 pick but rather a second-round pick in a future year plus parting ways with Lauri Markkanen, who they just picked up in a trade a year ago.

I like this scenario better because I think Barnes would fill that three position on the court better than Markkanen can now. While Markkanen is known for his three-point accuracy and that being a big part of his game, Barnes could fill those shoes just as well plus it would seem to be a better look for the squad. The idea of starting three 7-foot players in Mobley, Allen and Markkanen just doesn’t feel like the best lineup that the Cavs can deliver.

In the end the Kings probably value Barnes enough to rebuff moderate trade offers, and the Cavs may not want to throw the farm at a player entering the last year of his contract. Yet it’s unmistakable that Barnes’ consistent scoring and veteran presence would help them immensely, and they should at least start the conversation about bringing on board this versatile forward.