The 2022-2023 NBA season was a banner year for the Sacramento Kings. The once-proud franchise that was one of the top teams in the Western Conference in the early 2000s had not been to the playoffs since 2006, the longest such drought in major American pro sports.
But, they finally broke that streak in a big way, earning the third seed in the Western Conference. They bowed out of the Western Conference Playoffs in game 7 of the first round due to a fifty-burger by Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry. But, the team is young and the Sacramento Kings showed a lot of promise in an aging Western Conference.
Make no mistake, young guys like De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell, plus 27-year-old Domantis Sabonis, are the key for the future. But, veteran and NBA Champion Harrison Barnes was a huge piece for them due to his shooting, experience, and versatility on defense. He averaged 15 points in the regular season and 11 in the postseason.
The UNC product was set to be a free agent, but the Sacramento Kings have acted quickly to ensure that he’s back next year.
Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes – a key part of the franchise’s rise into Western Conference contention – has agreed on a new three-year, $54 million contract extension, his agent Jeff Schwartz of @Excelbasketball tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/JCT4RUayt7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2023
This is a good deal at a good price for the Kings, as well as the 31-year-old Barnes. And, the Kings appear ready to run it back for another run next year.