Former Tar Heel Harrison Barnes sends thank you message to Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings franchise will always be grateful for the contributions of former UNC basketball player Harrison Barnes, an NBA veteran who has been a model of consistency since entering the league in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Barnes began his professional career with the Golden State Warriors, winning his only NBA title and starting all but 61 games he appeared in with the storied franchise. He signed with the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the 2016 campaign, averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game in 2019, but failed to reach the playoffs in Texas.

Sacramento has arguably been Barnes’ best save so far. He helped a young Kings team end a 16-year playoff drought in 2022, taking his former Golden State team to seven games in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Sacramento made the playoffs for a second straight season last year but failed to advance out of the play-in tournament.

As a King, Barnes became one of the most consistent players in the league. He was a near superstar, averaging at least 12 points per game in every season in Sacramento. He started all 408 appearances (including nine in the playoffs), giving the Kings a reliable player they could count on for consistent production.

Barnes’ time in Sacramento recently came to an end, as he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night.

On Sunday, Barnes then sent a heartfelt message of thanks to the Kings franchise.

Barnes will join a suddenly exciting San Antonio team that includes 2024 Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, former Wake Forest standout and 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul, and another former Tar Heel in 2024 NBA Draftee Harrison Ingram.

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The article was originally published on Tarheels Wire