The Golden State Warriors have offered forward Harrison Barnes a four-year, $64 million contract extension, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, but the 23-year old has reportedly declined the offer.
Barnes is eligible for a contract extension and has until the Halloween deadline to reach an agreement or elect to become a restricted free agent next summer, which is something the Warriors do not want to happen.
Early impressions are that Barnes is very interested in signing an extension to remain with Golden State long term and will ultimately sign, but he commands more money. However, the declined offer is a starting point to negotiations that are expected to prolong until the October 31st closing date.
Recently, Yahoo Sports reported that Barnes has changed representation by signing with agent Jeff Schwartz, leaving his former agent Jeffrey Wechsler who demanded a contract worth more than $16 million annually for Barnes before being relieved of his duties.
Barnes, the three-year man out of North Carolina, started in all 82 games last season under head coach Steve Kerr who opted to start him ahead of Andre Iguodala, and it worked. Barnes became a significant component to Golden State’s success, averaging career-highs of 10.1 points and 5.5 rebounds on an efficient 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 40.5 percent from three-point range.
Earlier in the offseason, the Warriors signed Draymond Green to a five-year, $82.5 million deal, and they are now hoping to lock up Barnes long term to maintain the young starting core of Barnes, Green, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry.
Golden State fears that if an agreement on an extension is not reached, then Barnes could enter free agency with the potential of receiving a lucrative offer from other teams due to the rising salary cap. Therefore, both sides are willing to get a deal done within the next six weeks.