3 Western Conference playoff free agents Raptors must watch

1. Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings

Barnes was viewed as a prime trade target for the longest time due to Sacramento’s ineptitude, but the Kings’ recent run to the postseason (in which Barnes started all 82 games) shows that he is still a tremendous scorer, shooter, and leader on a team with playoff hopes.

He could leave Sacramento in the offseason, as the Kings might move forward with Keegan Murray in a more featured role while saving up to extend younger players on their roster. Toronto could lose a lot of shooting and scoring if Trent leaves, and Barnes will help replace that.

Toronto Raptors mock draft: Harrison Barnes is an impact player.

Barnes averaged 15.0 points per game this season, and that was with Murray, De’Aaron Fox, and Domantas Sabonis taking away shots. In his career with Sacramento, Barnes has shot 47% from the field and just under 39% from 3-point range.

This move isn’t going to happen without some serious intuition and a very active check-signing hand from Ujiri and Webster, but signing a player like Barnes is certainly a better use of Toronto’s time than trying to add another 6-9 who isn’t a very good shooter and trying to work with them.