Harrison Barnes exposing a costly mistake by Sacramento's front office

Building an NBA roster is like solving a puzzle: every piece must fit perfectly to complete the picture. This offseason, Sacramento Kings GM Monte McNair seemed to forget that, making a mistake that’s as old as time itself: trading away good pieces to stack star players.

In an effort to acquire six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls, the Kings traded Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs for no more than a screwdriver and a coupon to Whataburger.

At first glance, swapping Barnes for DeRozan might seem reasonable. DeRozan is a midrange maestro and an offensive powerhouse. However, his fit alongside Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox was always questionable to those who understand the importance of the 3-point shot in today's game.

DeRozan was never going to fit with Sac but Barnes is perfect for Spurs

Both Sabonis and Fox thrive in the paint: Sabonis with his brute strength paired with a feathery touch, and Fox with his blazing speed. DeRozan, a ball-dominant player who operates primarily in the midrange, clogs the lane and diminishes spacing—a critical flaw in a three-point-heavy NBA.

Unsurprisingly, the Kings now rank 26th in the league in three-point percentage. Meanwhile, Barnes is lighting it up for the Spurs, shooting a career-high 43% from beyond the arc. His contributions have propelled San Antonio to a 9-8 record despite the constant adversity San Antonio has had to deal with in the form of injuries and Coach Pop's extended absence.

Over the last ten games, the Spurs have climbed to 14th in three-point shooting (37%), while Sacramento only improved to 23rd during the same stretch.

This isn’t just a shooting slump for the Kings—it’s an issue that's been growing for a while now. Two years ago, they boasted the NBA’s top offense and finished third in the Western Conference, thanks in large part to being a top-ten team in three-point shooting.

Last season, their shooting slipped to 16th, and they fell to ninth in the standings. This year, their bottom-five shooting has left them at 8-10, struggling to recapture their previous success. This is not a coincidence.

On the flip side, the Spurs are thriving with Barnes in the fold. The veteran forward just earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors for the first time in his 13-year career, averaging career highs in field goal percentage (52%) and three-point shooting (43%). His leadership and consistency have been instrumental in helping a young Spurs team punch above its weight.

Mike Brown is a good coach, so they'll have slight improvements, but their lack of shooting will remain a glaring weakness. For San Antonio, however, the sky’s the limit. Devin Vassell is set to return on Wednesday vs. the Lakers, and Jeremy Sochan, one of the league’s best defenders, isn't far behind. The Spurs’ ceiling is rising fast, and they owe thanks to the Kings for their short-sighted decision.

So, to Monte McNair: Spurs fans salute you. You're a man of the people.