The Philadelphia 76ers plan to be serious suitors for Golden State Warriors restricted free agent Harrison Barnes at the start of free agency, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.
The 76ers have a young core to build around with first-round picks Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid and now Ben Simmons. Barnes would likely get the chance to start in Philadelphia, something he’s not doing in Golden State.
Barnes told Sirius XM NBA Radio on Tuesday that he wants to come back to the Warriors, but Golden State might not be able to afford the 24-year-old forward if it pursues high-priced free agents this summer such as Kevin Durant.
Barnes, the seventh pick in the 2012 draft out of North Carolina, has played his entire career with the Warriors. He averaged 11.7 points and 4.9 rebounds last season.
