Harrison Barnes’ struggles are forcing the Spurs toward a tough decision

After the San Antonio Spurs ended 2025 soaring high, they found themselves on top of the NBA Power Rankings for the first time in 10 years. In the new year, while still 27-13 and a top-five team in the league, they have regressed, going 3-4 in 2026 and 4-6 in their last ten games.

As of late, the lack of scoring efficiency has been one of the factors that have hurt the Spurs. In that 10-game span, the team is 27.3% from three, ranking them in the bottom five in that category league-wide. Perhaps the biggest factor for this number is the absence of Devin Vassell (38.9%), who was having an outstanding season before injuries kicked in.

With Vassell out of the lineup, it is easy to see which players are becoming a liability, and the biggest might be Harrison Barnes. Once deemed "Mr.100%" by Sean Elliott, Barnes has struggled mightily and has nearly punched his ticket out of San Antonio.

It is time to close the door on the Barnes-era

Barnes was one of the league's most efficient shooters at the start of the season. By the numbers, Harrison was shooting 38.9% from October to December and was averaging 11.6 points per game.

The team was able to put him in the right spots on the floor, giving him easy shot attempts. Barnes played a significant role in the Spurs' early success, but after his recent struggles, he finds himself in the middle of trade talks more than ever before.

For starters, this might be the only time Barnes can even be traded. If his play declines further, teams would not welcome his $19 million price tag in a trade anyway, so it is now or never.

It was no problem for the Spurs to take on Barnes' contract because of the handful of rookie contracts they still have on their payroll, but that will soon change. Therefore, even if Barnes was shooting lights out right now, he was going to need to be let go eventually.

Here is a realistic trade package involving Harrison that makes the most sense for the Spurs.

This might not be the sexiest trade for the Spurs, but it is a cheap investment that could fix major voids for the team. Kelly Oubre Jr. is the type of score-first forward that could give the Spurs another important weapon as a unit.

Since Oubre Jr. entered the league in 2017, he has averaged nearly 15 points per game. The Sixers forward would bring decent athleticism (even for his age), dependable scoring, and effort on defense, which are all areas that the Spurs are always looking to improve.

Spurs must find an answer at PF

Kelly's scoring success is what the team wished they would get from Jeremy Sochan, and his effort on defense is the one major downfall of having Barnes on the floor.

Spurs fans for months have been protesting for the team to go out and trade for a guy like New Orleans Pelicans Trey Murphy III. The forward would be a fantastic fit for the Silver and Black, sure, but his potential this year makes it impossible to believe that the Pelicans would be willing to trade him away.

The team has had its problems with "star" Zion Williamson, and he will be traded at some point within the next year, making Murphy III the franchise building block for the future.

Even if Barnes is packaged with players like Castle, Sochan, and picks, it is probably not enough to get Murphy III.

Ultimately, Barnes has overstayed his welcome in San Antonio. It is not a knock on Harrison as a person. He has been a great asset to the Spurs both as a player and as a valuable member of the San Antonio community.

The Spurs have reached a point where they no longer need a veteran presence. It’s time to embrace their youth and build around it fully. The Oklahoma City Thunder did this and won a championship as a result, and San Antonio is not far behind.