In the Golden State Warriors’ missed opportunity to close out the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Harrison Barnes turned in a performance that left fans and analysts deeply disappointed. Shooting just 2-for-14 from the field—including 0-for-6 in the fourth quarter—Barnes failed to rise to the occasion, despite being given wide-open looks throughout the game. With free agency looming and some teams reportedly willing to offer him $20 million per year, the Warriors may need to think twice before matching that price tag.

With Draymond Green serving a suspension, the spotlight was firmly on Barnes to step up. In Golden State’s offensive system, Barnes typically plays a secondary role, often acting as the fourth option. However, Green’s absence meant more shots and greater responsibility—an ideal opportunity for Barnes to showcase his value. On paper, he got that chance. His 14 field goal attempts were the third-most on the team, behind only Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. But the results spoke volumes: just two made shots, one of six from beyond the arc, and two missed free throws.

Worse still, many of Barnes’ attempts were open looks created by his teammates, but he simply couldn’t convert. In the fourth quarter, his performance hit rock bottom—missing all six shots, including four uncontested three-point attempts. Unsurprisingly, fans voiced their frustration online. Comments like “Barnes is the Cavaliers’ third-best player,” and “When Barnes is on the floor, it’s like the Warriors are playing 4-on-5,” went viral on social media. One particularly pointed remark summed it up: “He had five chances to close the gap and didn’t hit a single one.”

So what went wrong? The truth is, Barnes has yet to develop into a fully reliable star. This game was a high-stakes battle for Cleveland, and the national spotlight only added to the pressure—especially with the media frenzy surrounding Green’s suspension. While players like Curry and Thompson are used to this level of intensity, Barnes looked unprepared. Despite having elite athleticism, his offensive skill set remains incomplete, and inconsistency has always been a part of his game.

Now set to become a restricted free agent, Barnes is rumored to be drawing max-contract interest from multiple teams, including offers worth $20 million annually. But based on this postseason performance, Golden State may want to think long and hard before committing to such a deal. As the debate continues, fans following contract updates and trade rumors can keep up through Jeetbuzz App Download, where every move is under the microscope.