Following a disappointing 2015-16 campaign for the NC State Wolfpack men’s basketball team, junior point guard Cat Barber declared for the 2016 NBA Draft. While some people believed that he would change his mind and come back, Barber remained adamant on social media that he was intending to stay in the draft process.
With his departure from the collegiate ranks imminent, it’s time to break down the teams that could best use Barber’s ability as a point guard as well as his ability to score.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Even though the Timberwolves have Spaniard Ricky Rubio at point, many believe the Timberwolves have wasted the potential of the 25-year old and don’t see him in the plans of a roster that has so much young potential. Rubio was never a scorer, as he averaged just 10.2 points per game during his career. While Rubio does have great skills as a ball handler and game manager, Barber could be a valuable offensive asset while he prepares to potentially take the starting point guard role from Rubio.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have regressed significantly over the last four seasons. The win totals for the team have dropped by at least five each year since its first season in Brooklyn and it currently has just 21 wins through 77 games.
Donald Sloan looks like he has potential, but after going through five teams in four years, averaging 6.7 PPG for his career, the Nets don’t seem like they want to wait for him to breakout. The scrappy, 5-foot-11 guard Shane Larkin has started 12 games for the Nets this season, but he also hasn’t shown much as a scoring threat, averaging 7.0 PPG this season while playing on his third team in as many years.
Philadelphia 76ers
I know, the Sixers are a complete mess right now, and it even looks like Jahlil Okafor is trying to abandon ship. The Sixers have many more pressing needs at other positions for them to consider taking Barber in the first round, but he could be a potential second round steal for the Sixers, who could use Barber and current point guard Ish Smith to make an excellent one-two punch at the position.
New York Knicks
Last season, the Knicks were on the market for a point guard to replace Jose Calderon in the draft, but took forward Kristaps Porzingis instead. In hindsight, it has worked out really well for the Knicks, who think Porzingis has the potential to be a star, but Calderon can be attributed to part of the problem for the Knicks. Barber, who averaged 23.5 PPG this season, could be a much needed offensive boost to the Knicks and provide a young prospect to replace the 34-year-old Calderon.
Houston Rockets
Probably the most obscure choice on this list, the Rockets were only a series away from its first NBA Finals season since the 1994-95 season. The Rockets moved on from point guard Ty Lawson, who had a disruptive offseason, and it has shown in the team’s record. While the Rockets do have Patrick Beverley on the roster at point, he is still a very raw player and they don’t have much depth behind him, giving Barber a small window to usurp him as starting point guard.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is an under-the-radar landing spot for Barber, but it makes perfect sense. The Spurs are poised for greatness for years to come, with forwards Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge grabbing the torch from future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan. If Barber gets drafted to eventually replace the 33-year old Tony Parker at the point, who is averaging the fewest minutes and second fewest points per game of his career, the Spurs could have another big three to dominate the league for another decade.
