After being traded to the Kings partway through last season, Barnes averaged 14.3 points on 45.5 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from 3-point range.
Next year's Western Conference will be a war zone, but the Kings have an exciting core of young players that, with Barnes' help, can contend further down the line. De'Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley and Buddy Hield will all continue to develop, and Barnes will be instrumental in helping Sacramento make its next big leap.
Theo Pinson
After having his free agent rights renounced, Pinson ultimately re-signed with the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, signing a two-year deal to remain with what is suddenly one of the league's most talented teams.
This offseason, the Nets signed All-NBA talents Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, going from a fun group of youngsters who made a surprise playoff appearance last year to a team ready to contend for an Eastern Conference title.
That all depends the health of Durant, who is expected to miss all of next season with an Achilles injury. But his absence will only provide more opportunities for Pinson, who played in 18 games last season and averaged 4.5 points in 11.7 minutes.
Perhaps Durant can help mentor the second-year Pinson while the former sits out, turning Pinson into a more steady contributor when playoff time rolls around.
Reggie Bullock and Wayne Ellington
Bullock and Ellington, a pair of sharpshooting guards who got their start in Chapel Hill, both signed with the New York Knicks near the start of free agency. Bullock signed a two-year, $21 million contract, while Ellington inked a two-year, $16 million deal.
Recently, it was reported that the Knicks and Bullock's agent are working on a new deal after the team had concerns about Bullock's ability to play the full season for 2019-2020. The sharpshooting guard had not yet signed his previous deal with the team, and a new figure has not been announced.
The Knicks missed out big time in this year's free agent market, but perhaps their two Tar Heel signings can ease the pain. Both are veteran guards who can mentor the Knicks' semi-promising backcourt prospects, all while while providing floor spacing and 3-point shooting.
As for Bullock and Ellington... it's going to be a long season. Keep collecting those checks.
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Ed Davis
Rounding out the Tar Heel-related transactions is Davis, who signed with the Utah Jazz for two years, $10 million. As a member of the Nets last season, Davis averaged 5.8 points and 6.8 rebounds, playing the role of an energy big man in a limited role.
In Utah, Davis can play a similar role for one of the most complete rosters in the Western Conference. At worst, he provides intensity on both ends and a propensity to swallow up rebounds and thrive in the pick-and-roll.
Don't be surprised if Davis comes off the bench and swings a playoff game or two in April or May.
@ryantwilcox
@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com
