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UNC Basketball: Sacramento Kings, Harrison Barnes continue slump

By Blake Cockrum

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings passes the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings passes the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC basketball star Harrison Barnes continues his slump, and so do the Sacramento Kings

Harrison Barnes has seen a major dip in production since joining the Sacramento Kings at the midway point of last season. And the Kings aren’t playing any better than Barnes is at the moment, losers of eight games in a row, and nine of their last 10.

The former North Carolina standout and eight-year NBA veteran averaged no less than 17.7 points per game in any of his three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. In his year-plus with the Kings, he hasn’t come close to that, averaging just 14.3 points per game last season, and 15.4 per game this year. He’s also seen his worst season as a professional basketball player from behind the three-point line, where he’s hitting just 34.1 percent of his shots.

Barnes hasn’t cracked double-digit points in four of his last seven games, and six times in the month of December; a month in which he’s averaged just 13.7 points per game. He’s scored 20 or more points just three times in 16 games this month, and has a field goal percentage of 36.9 during that span. Worse yet, he’s converting just 28 percent of his attempts from long-range since December 2.

Barnes certainly isn’t the only problem that the 12-22 Kings have this season, though. Between their lack of true star-power, and overall inconsistency as a team, they weren’t ever going to compete; even on a down year in the Western Conference. It doesn’t help that the organization doesn’t attract any big-name free agents, either.

Despite his struggles, Barnes is averaging a team-high 35.2 minutes per game; one minute more than leading scorer Buddy Hield, and six more than former Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox. With the makeup of the Kings’ current roster, he’ll get plenty of opportunities to turn his season around, though.

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Stick with Keeping It Heel for more on Harrison Barnes, and UNC basketball alumni throughout the NBA and around the globe.

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