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Trail Blazers Free Agency: 25 and Under Targets

By Perry Waggoner

Mar 31, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 116-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 116-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first half in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 118-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first half in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 118-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Harrison Barnes, 24 years old (RFA)

2015-16 Stats: 11.7 PPG / 1.8 APG / 4.9 APG

The Case for Barnes: Don’t be fooled by his subpar showing in the Finals. Barnes is a more than capable scorer who is hungry for a bigger role. The fact that he was able to average 12 PPG on a loaded Golden State roster says a lot about his confidence and style of play. He was never afraid to launch open threes and attacked the rim with regularity during his four year stint with the Warriors. Much like Evan Fournier, Barnes would automatically become Portland’s third best scorer and push the all too inconsistent Al-Farouq Aminu to the reserve unit. If Barnes is looking for a new home, Neil Olshey should try his hardest to set up a meeting with him. Unless he stays in the Bay Area, he should see his scoring numbers catapult to 16 or 17 PPG in 2016-17.

The Case Against Barnes: The risk of signing Barnes centers around the lack of evidence that he can succeed without (arguably) the best team in league history around him. Sure, the Trail Blazers have comparable guard play, but outside of the back court duo, the Warriors are the far superior squad. All to often, Barnes’ shots came when the defense would collapse or double team Curry or Thompson, leaving him with a wide open attempt. It’s safe to say that he won’t have that much space if he signs in Portland. Nothing is a sure thing in free agency, but things seem especially murky for Harrison Barnes.

Cost of signing Barnes: In the current NBA landscape, Barnes is a near max player who will look for a contract anywhere from $18 million to $22 million per year.

Next: Terrence Jones, 24 years old