5 free agency destinations for Harrison Barnes

This is a not likely hypothetical, but if superstar small forward Kevin Durant decides to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency this summer, who do the Thunder consider targeting as Durant’s immediate replacement?

One guy that could at least fill Durant’s position at the three is Harrison Barnes of the Golden State Warriors. Barnes isn’t a high-volume shooter like Durant can be and thrives as a complimentary wing player on the best team in the NBA in 20 years.

While OKC’s other superstar player in point guard Russell Westbrook may feel a bit betrayed with Durant possibly leaving the Thunder before he hits free agency next summer, Durant’s hypothetical departure would mean that the entire Oklahoma City offense would be catered towards Westbrook’s strengths.

Westbrook would have to share the ball as often as he has to with Durant, as they are both ball-dominant, high-volume elite scorers. It’s not really addition by subtraction, but replacing Durant with Barnes might make the Thunder a more balanced team on offense.

Barnes would also have an opportunity to step up his game as the No. 3 best player on the Thunder behind Westbrook and power forward Serge Ibaka. Though he’ll get backlash for not being Durant, Barnes would help the Thunder stay in the mix as a sleeper title contender in the West even if they have to rebuild their roster sooner rather than later.

With their being a dearth of good players at small forward, there are far worse options that Barnes at the three for OKC should Durant walk this summer.

Next: 3. Atlanta Hawks