Golden State Warriors Rumors: Harrison Barnes Rejects $64 Million, 4-Year Extension

The Golden State Warriors have offered Harrison Barnes a $64 million, four-year contract extension, league sources reported by Yahoo! Sports stated.

The 23-year-old small forward, who helped the Warriors win the 2014-15 NBA Championship, rejected the $16 million per year offer, which was the figure that Barnes' former agent, Jeff Wechsler had countered with after the Warriors' initial offer. This offer was comparable to the extension that Barnes' teammate, Draymond Green signed. Green agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million deal.

Barnes, with his new agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, and the Warriors are expected to continue negotiating a deal that might not get settled until the Oct. 31 deadline. The Warriors do not want Barnes, who is a young talent, to hit restricted free agency in July 2016.

If he becomes a restricted agent, the Warriors will be able to match any offer Barnes gets next summer. If Barnes accepts the offer, he will be staying with a strong group of guys who have proven that they can win.

Barnes was a vital player during the Warriors' postseason series against the Memphis Grizzlies. He had averaged 12.8 points per game and shot 54.5 percent from the field, which was impressive considering the Grizzlies defense. Barnes also played great defense against Zach Randolph.

Bobby Marks, a former Nets executive, explained why the $16 million per year deal was ideal for the Warriors.

Barnes at 16m per year would allow @warriors to stay under the tax in 16-17 and allow them re-sign Curry in 17-18 and still have $ for FA

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 21, 2015

He will also continue to develop as a player with head coach Steve Kerr, who has already helped improve his skill-set.

Last season, Barnes, a 2012 first round draft pick, averaged 10.1 points and 5.5 rebounds.