NBA free agency rumors: 76ers eye move for Harrison Barnes

Alec Brzezinski

NBA free agency rumors: 76ers eye move for Harrison Barnes image

Fans of the 76ers are feeling optimistic after the front office drafted Ben Simmons to team up with Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor.

Now, another prized reinforcement might soon be joining them.

MORE: The 23 best available free agents 

According to ESPN.com, the 76ers will make a "strong push" to sign Harrison Barnes when free agency opens Friday. Barnes was named to the U.S. Olympic team this week, and he has been to the NBA Finals each of the last two seasons.

DEVENEY: Durant's decision will chart future of entire NBA 

Because Barnes is a restricted free agent, the Warriors have the ability to match any offer sheet from another team. Golden State may do that if they can't lure Kevin Durant to the West Coast.

If the 76ers do sign Barnes, they will be better able to trade Noel and play Simmons at power forward with Barnes on the wing.

Philadelphia still needs a shooting guard and a point guard, but having three well-regarded frontcourt players would be a step in the right direction.

Alec Brzezinski