The Golden State Warriors meant it when they said in order to trade for the forward would have to be something blockbuster before the deadline. Barnes has popped up in several trade rumors over the past few days, but so far nothing has enticed the Warriors enough to send him packing. As the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies have all expressed interest, Golden State is likely keeping the second-year pro.
Golden State has already made the move to acquire Steve Blake from the Los Angeles Lakers. While it appears Barnes is being shopped to potential buyers, Grantland's Zach Lowe reports no team is close to meeting the terms set by the Warriors.
The team was in discussions to send Barnes to the Cavaliers, but the two sides cannot come to terms with what the exact trade package would consist of. Cleveland wanted to make a trade for Barnes because of his relationship with Kyrie Irving. Owner Dan Gilbert believes getting Barnes means pleasing Irving enough to remain with the team for years to come. Right now, that trade is dead in the water.
Sam Amick of USA Today Sports reports the Memphis Grizzlies have considered upgrading the small forward spot with Barnes. While he has struggled this season in a sixth man role, the former top-seven pick has plenty of upside for the future. The issue is that Memphis does not have any young prospects to give up other than Ed Davis. They do own a first-round pick in 2015 and could possibly offer up injured Tony Allen, but otherwise the team can really give Golden State nothing that would qualify as "blockbuster."
If the Warriors are serious about giving up Barnes, their last hope could be a player swap with the Detroit Pistons for Greg Monroe. ESPN's Chad Ford reports the two teams are in preliminary discussions that could pick up before the end of Thursday. The Warriors would like a big man to rotate in with Andrew Bogut and David Lee. Monroe has an expiring contract that would certainly help financially and he would help bolster the bench.
Monroe would be the only player Golden State wants. This deal appears unlikely to happen considering they are running out of time and Detroit will only give up so much since the team will be rebuilding in the offseason. Golden State must be blown away in an offer for the forward and if that has not happened by now, it will not happen at all.
