Celtics increasingly tied to Kings’ Barnes, per SI’s Mannix, Athletic’s Amick

The rumor mill is starting to kick into high gear for Boston’s trade targets.

The Boston Celtics have been tied to Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes previously this season, and it seems Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix has been hearing from sources that the former Team USA teammate of Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown is among their preferred targets.

Writing about Boston’s $28.5 million traded player exception (TPE), and who the Celtics might be targeting with it, Mannix related the team is “high on … Barnes,” adding that “the Kings forward who could be moved by Sacramento,” a team which has lost eight of its last 10 games heading into the break.

This seems to gibe with what The Athletic’s Sam Amick is hearing about Boston around the league. He notes a deal for Barnes is one “so many front office folks around the league believe could be coming.”