NBA: 10 Players Who Must Prove Themselves In 2016-17

Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the second half of Tuesday night
Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the second half of Tuesday night
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November 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the basketball during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Bulls 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the basketball during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Bulls 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks

As soon as it was announced that Kevin Durant was going to sign with the Golden State Warriors, we all knew that meant the end of Harrison Barnes in Golden State. The Warriors’ loss was the Mavericks’ gain, who inked Barnes to a max contract.

Question is, is he worth such deal? It’s the expectations that he’ll have to now play under, unfortunately. While Barnes doesn’t have to be an all-star right away, he does have to eventually prove that he was worth a max contract.

The only real way that he can live up to that contract is by proving he can be the centerpiece of the Mavs’ next phase. When Dirk Nowitzki hangs them up, is Barnes the guy that Dallas will turn to? He kind of has to be.

Next: A Lost PG