Sacramento brings back 'The Senator' to state capital

When the Kings traded the No. 24 pick in the draft to shed center Richaun Holmes' contract, there was speculation they'd try to add an expensive free agent. Instead, they brought back veteran Harrison Barnes, who took a pay cut to stay with the Kings for the next three years at $54 million.

Barnes was nicknamed "The Senator" due to his serious nature and political aspirations. In 2016, he made an educational cartoon about voting.

We're guessing he's the first NBA player to star in a cartoon about the electoral college. During the Warriors' White House visit following their first championship, President Barack Obama even called Barnes "The Senator."

Barnes had some suitors, including the Indiana Pacers. Their coach, Rick Carlisle, was such a fan of Barnes when he coached him in Dallas that he attended Barnes' wedding, where according to ESPN's Tim McMahon, Carlisle even played the piano at the reception.

But instead of Barnes joining the Pacers, the Kings used their newfound cap space to add a former lottery pick from the Pacers.

Chris Duarte was the No. 13 pick in 2021 and made the All-Rookie second team in his first season. But he lost playing time in Indiana after he suffered an ankle injury that bothered him all season.

The Kings were indirectly responsible for Duarte's diminished role as well. After Indiana swapped Domantas Sabonis for Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton, there were fewer minutes for a wing like Duarte - and even fewer after the Pacers traded for Aaron Nesmith, and drafted Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.

Duarte should get plenty of playing time both backing up and playing alongside Barnes, after the second mutually-beneficial trade between Sacramento and Indiana in as many years. That's the kind of trade deal that could be brokered by a senator.