The Golden State Warriors have reportedly offered Harrison Barnes a contract extension, but Barnes has rejected that deal and may want to dip into free agency when he is eligible. The Warriors have been working on a deal this summer for Barnes and the rejection came ahead of the team signing Ben Gordon and Tony Mitchell to camp deals.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports, the Warriors offered Barnes a four year deal worth $64 million following the run to the NBA finals this year. Barnes is a player the team wants to retain and Wojnarowski writes that the Warriors may want to keep Barnes from hitting free agency to ensure they keep him. Barnes and the Warriors have until October 31 to work out a deal, or Barnes will become a restricted free agent this summer.
The Warriors are also close to bringing in Ben Gordon on a camp deal, as Marc Stein at ESPN reports that the team is "closing in" on a contract with Gordon. Stein writes that Gordon will get a camp invite for the Warriors and will get a chance to "try and make the roster." Gordon previously won a sixth man of the year award and he has been trying out for the team in Oakland "over the past few days."
The team is hoping to avoid that, as there are teams out there that could offer Barnes a deal that the Warriors may not be able to match. The Warriors have signed Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to deals and they also have Stephen Curry in the future to worry about. The team reportedly as interested in working out an extension with Barnes this summer, but clearly that has not happened yet. Barnes played a key role off the bench for the Warriors in the playoffs and he averaged 10 points and 5.5 rebounds last season.
Barnes put up the best numbers of his career last season for the Warriors and he played in all 82 games for the first time in his three seasons in the league. Barnes has improved his numbers across the board in each season he has been with the Warriors and as the deadline gets closer, an extension is looking less likely. Barnes may want to wait, as the salary cap is expected to rise considerably and that could bring him a better deal than what the Warriors offered him.
The Warriors have added some depth to their roster for camp, as Shams Charania at Yahoo Sports reports that Tony Mitchell is signing a camp deal with the team. Mitchell previously was a second round pick for the Pistons a couple years ago and Mitchell could compete with James McAdoo to be a reserve option on the roster. Mitchell along with Chris Babb, Ian Clark and Jarell Eddie all have deals and they could be competing for roster spots in camp. Pro Basketball Talk reports that Mitchell could be an option for the D-League if he doesn't make the team.
Check here for more on Barnes and the Warriors and Gordon signing.
