Armed with No. 1 pick Ben Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers are not done pursuing new pieces for their roster. Harrison Barnes reportedly could be next.
The Sixers plan to be serious suitors for Golden State restricted free agent Harrison Barnes at the start of free agency, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 28, 2016
The Ringer floated the idea on Monday that Barnes’ inclusion on the Team USA Olympic squad could have something to do with the 76ers’ interest. Jerry Colangelo is the head of USA Basketball and his son, Bryan, is now the GM and president of basketball operations for the 76ers.
From Chris Ryan:
Does Harrison Barnes’s surprising inclusion on Team USA signal that the Sixers could be a player in landing his services this summer? No, but it does signal that there is a relationship. And when you think about it, Barnes in Philly makes a lot of sense.
Here’s the case: Barnes would get to be the new face of the franchise. He wouldn’t just be paid, he would be valued — treated as an essential part of a team, not just a supporting player. He would be able to take the pressure off of the Sixers’ younger players like Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, and Ben Simmons. He would immediately be the best basketball player, right now, and the no. 1 option on that team. His numbers would inevitably jump, and he’d quickly enter the conversation for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
A max contract is reportedly going to worth around $127 million this summer.