Harrison Barnes: 4 Teams That Should Trade Up for Future Star

Harrison Barnes will likely be a lottery pick in the 2012 NBA draft. According to Jonathan Wasserman of nbadraft.net:

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Barnes fits the NBA small forward mold, standing 6’8” with substantial length, mobility and athleticism.

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Wasserman also raves about Barnes’ shooting ability, saying Barnes can shoot the ball in just about any situation.

Though Barnes can shoot, he is not the best playmaker and would likely not succeed as his team’s top scoring option. Wasserman said:

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No one’s stock was damaged more by Kendall Marshall’s injury than Harrison Barnes, whose inability to create shots for himself was exposed…He’s proven that his game is better suited complimenting a top scoring option than being one himself…

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If Barnes plays on a team with established playmakers, particularly at point guard, he can become one of the league’s best small forwards in a few years.

In its most recent mock draft, nbadraft.net has Barnes going seventh overall to the Golden State Warriors. Teams looking for more scoring depth that already have established playmakers should look at trading up for Barnes, though, based on his limitless potential.

After spending the last two seasons at the University of North Carolina, where should Barnes move to now? Here are four good destinations for him not already drafting in the top seven, which would therefore require trading up.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have back-to-back first round picks at No. 21 and No. 22 overall. They should consider moving one of these into the top 5 to guarantee a shot at Barnes.

Though the Celtics reached the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, they certainly did not get into the playoffs with scoring. Boston averaged 91.8 points per game, good for 26th in the NBA.

Barnes would provide scoring help and youth, two things Boston desperately needs. In 2012-13, he would not be the top scorer, but he would be effective until his role would increase down the line.

The Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are all on the wrong half of 30. However, their experience would help Barnes tremendously in his first few seasons. They could even teach him a few pointers on defense, as the Celtics averaged the second-fewest points allowed per game in 2011-12.

Rajon Rondo is one of the best playmakers in the NBA, so Barnes would be set there.

Head coach Doc Rivers could draft his son Austin, but he should look to the other side of the Duke-UNC rivalry and get Barnes.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls know a thing or two about drafting highly touted guard/forward players from the University of North Carolina. Does the name Michael Jordan sound familiar?

The possibility of Barnes being like Mike is extremely small at this point, but the size and the Tar Heel pedigree are there.

Defensive guru Tom Thibodeau would make Barnes into a more complete player. The Bulls led the NBA in scoring defense, which, like the Boston Celtics, would provide Barnes with a good education in that department.

The Bulls could use some offensive help and some youth as well. Chicago ranked 18th in scoring average, and seven players from 2011-12 were born before the Bulls drafted Jordan on June 19, 1984.

Again, Barnes would not be the top scoring option on this team. Five Bulls averaged over 10 PPG this season. One of those, of course, was playmaker extraordinaire Derrick Rose.

Rose tore his left ACL in Game 1 of the Bulls’ Eastern Conference playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Barnes would not get the benefit of playing with Rose for most of this season, but they could become quite a tandem whenever Rose returns.

Chicago holds the No. 29 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. They would need to move up a lot to get Barnes, but his potential suggests it would be a good decision.

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have two former NBA stars on the roster in Jerry Stackhouse and Tracy McGrady. The operative word here, though, is former.

These two are not the only aging veterans in Atlanta. Nine of 16 Hawks from 2011-12 are now over 30 years old. Nine. General manager Danny Ferry needs to inject this bunch with some talented youth.

Barnes would make a great fit on this team. According to foxnews.com:

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The Hawks could use a small forward to take some of the scoring burden off Johnson since Marvin Williams hasn’t been that guy but the team is unlikely to find a quick fix for that problem selecting at No. 23 overall.

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Unless, of course, the Hawks decide to trade up for Barnes. Small forward? Check. Scoring option? Check. Young talent? Check.

Atlanta’s guys can tutor Barnes well due to their age and experience. The Hawks also played sound defense in 2011-12, placing sixth in points allowed per game.

If they can keep Josh Smith, who wants to be traded, the Hawks would have a solid core with him, Barnes, Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Jeff Teague.

Dallas Mavericks

Until Dirk Nowitzki retires, this is his team. Nowitzki’s supporting cast, though, is aging. Seven additional players who suited up for the Dallas Mavericks this season, besides Dirk, are over 30 years old.

Dallas wants to bring in some NBA stars this offseason, but none of these are at the small forward position. The Mavericks could get Deron Williams or Steve Nash and want to keep Jason Kidd. This is excellent news for a player like Barnes, who needs a stud point guard to bring out the best in him.

The Mavericks pick 17th in the 2012 NBA draft and would need to climb a few spots to get Barnes. Dallas needs youth to compliment its veteran scoring core of Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion and Vince Carter. Barnes would do just that.

Dallas lost in the first round of the 2012 Western Conference playoffs to a younger, more explosive Oklahoma City Thunder team. If the Mavericks want to avoid getting beat by Oklahoma City and others, they should look to Barnes to start a youth movement.