The Golden State Warriors utilized a deep and versatile roster on their way to winning the title last season. Forward Harrison Barnes, who stepped into a starting role last year, emerged of a big part of the Warriors' scheme with his versatility on both ends of the floor. And Sunday, Yahoo Sports reports that the team has offered Barnes an initial four-year, $64 million contract extension proposal.

Barnes camp did not accept the offer, but as noted by Yahoo Sports, the $16 million annual offer appears to be the starting point for discussions that could last until the Oct. 31 deadline for rookie extensions.

Barnes is eligible for a rookie contract extension as a member of the 2012 NBA draft class.

As noted by the Yahoo Sports report, the Warriors are trying to prevent Barnes from reaching restricted free agent status in July 2016, when a rising salary cap and a slew of teams with financial flexibility could make it a challenge to retain the young, talented and still developing Barnes.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports points out that the $16 million per year offer is comparable to what the Warriors gave Draymond Green (five years and $82.5 million) this past summer. Barnes' former agent Jeff Wechsler negotiated with a figure north of $16 million after the initial offer was made. Jeff Schawartz of Excel Sports is Barnes new representation.

After being pushed to a starting role by first year head coach Steve Kerr, the 23-year-old Barnes averaged 10.1 points and 5.5 rebounds last season on his way to being graded as one of the league's most efficient players.

Barnes continued his consistent production during the Warriors' championship-winning run, averaging 10.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs, while defending everyone from Blake Griffin to Marc Gasol to LeBron James.