GDT: Pistons at Mavericks 7:30 CST

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by j0Shi

Some people think HB might decline his option and search for more long-term security. I'm not as confident. Besides that, he can work in a reduced role. He just has to play like Kleber, basically.

We're not going to give Barnes a reduced role, it would kill his trade value... Hell, I'm starting to think the only reason Wes got benched last night is because we've given up on trying to trade him and plan to just let his contract expire, otherwise he'd probably still be getting showcased as well.

Opting out actually makes a lot of sense for HB this summer. Sure, he's not going to get another payday as big as the one he's coming off of, but he's healthy and still putting up points, so he should be able to secure at least 4/60. Sure, he'd be sacrificing $10m next year, but he'd be set for the next 4... Plus, if he's unhappy here, it would allow him to choose his next destination -- if he opts in, there's a good chance we trade his expiring contract, and the teams who make those trades tend not to be the best destinations. Opting out this summer allows him to control his own destiny while he's in the best position to do so -- he'd get a fresh start on a new team with a new contract so he can focus on the game and not the business side of things. Barnes seems like a dude who would prefer that... At this point, opting out makes more sense than opting in.