Harrison Barnes has been one of the hottest subjects of NBA trade rumors heading into the trade deadline, and reports indicated that the Golden State Warriors are strongly considering trading the sophomore small forward.
NBA beat writer Rich Bucher reported that the Warriors are currently engaged in talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers about a potential trade involving Barnes heading into Thursday's trade deadline.
According to Bucher, the Warriors are very interested in re-acquiring veteran guard Jarrett Jack, who moved to Cleveland during the offseason after a stellar season with the Warriors last year.
The Warriors have been shopping for a backup guard to take the role Jack left when he signed a deal with the Cavaliers, but they have been unsuccessful after several attempts to make a deal with different teams.
Bucher revealed that the Warriors are planning to make a strong push to re-acquire Jack via a deal involving Barnes, who is having a rough season this year.
Sources said that the Cavaliers are high on Barnes mainly because of his close relationship with star point guard Kyrie Irving. However, the Cavs might be forced to add more assets aside from Jack to convince the Warriors to move Barnes.
"The Warriors are still looking to see if they can upgrade their core without laying complete waste to what they've already built. Don't close the door on a possible return of Jarrett Jack, one source said, suggesting that the Cavs would help their campaign to retain Kyrie Irving by acquiring Harrison Barnes, who Irving stumped for before the draft," Bucher stated.
Reports also indicated that Golden State have also expressed interest in acquiring Cavaliers veteran forward Luol Deng, but the Warriors are not expected to strike a deal without getting a long-term commitment from the former All-Star, who will become a free agent this summer.
The Warriors might also ask for Tristan Thompson in a possible deal for Barnes according to ESPN insider Chad Ford, who reported that the team is also looking for an impact power forward before the deadline.
"The Warriors want to win now and Barnes has struggled coming off the bench. Not sure who would go to the bench in that scenario. I've been told that preferably the Warriors find a big time power forward," Ford revealed in his latest chat session.
