The former Aucklander had no experience at the top level and a long list of injury setbacks.
The word was he could bowl quite quickly but a fast bowler with a crook back is not a great signing, right?
And what do you know?
Barnes missed Otago's opening two Plunket Shield games when he was sidelined with an ankle and back complaint.
It was not the start the 23 year old was hoping for with his new province. But, once he got on the park, it became apparent why King had decided to gamble.
Barnes has pace.
Not the sort of pace Adam Milne has, but he is quick enough to hurry good players.
He gets the ball to shape away from right-handers.
He has a deadly yorker, a decent bouncer and, in five twenty20 games for the Volts, he has picked up seven wickets at an average of 17.71 and an economy rate of 6.20.
''Things are going pretty well,'' Barnes said.
''For the first few games I was a bit nervous because my preparation was not really there but it came out all right.''
Not long after Barnes arrived in Dunedin, fizzing for an opportunity to play at the top level, he tweaked his ankle and then his back stiffened up.
Barnes was contracted by Auckland last summer but a run of injuries ruined his season, so he was thinking ''here we go again''.
''That is pretty much exactly what I was thinking,'' he said.
It is easy to see how Barnes picks up injuries. While he has lovely action, he does sort of catapult himself towards the batsman with a lengthy leap during his last few strides before he lets the ball go.
It is that momentum which helps him generate that extra pace.
''I've always had a really big jump and I guess it is something which has just developed.''
The next time Barnes throws himself into his delivery stride it will be against Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval tomorrow afternoon.
He is looking forward to the challenge of playing against his former team-mates.
The Aces boast two of the heaviest hitters in the game in Colin Munro and Colin de Grandhomme.
The pair were in brutal form against Central Districts last Sunday.
Munro clobbered 89 from 40 deliveries and de Grandhomme hit an undefeated 59 from 23 deliveries.
De Grandhomme's career strike rate of 170.14 is the highest of all batsmen who have faced 250 balls or more.
To put that in perspective, West Indian destroyer Chris Gayle's career strike rate of 149.25 places him 25th on the list.
Another way of putting it is you do not want to drop short or offer up a half volley to de Grandhomme.
''I'm real excited about the challenge and have been wanting to get real fit for this game.
''I want to give it my all and keep our winning streak going because it would be nice to beat them on their home ground.''
Black Caps left-armer Mitchell McClenaghan is the main threat with the ball and leg spinner Tarun Nethula has enjoyed plenty of success against Otago teams.
But the Volts have won their last three games and have a record of four wins from five games.
They lead the competition standings with 16 points, and a win against Auckland will leave the Volts well-placed to make playoffs.
The Volts have stuck with the same players who helped defeat Northern Districts by eight wickets at the University Oval on Tuesday.
Auckland's team was unavailable.
Statistics correct on November 18.
Twenty20
Otago v Auckland
Eden Park Outer Oval, 1.10pm
Live on Sky Sport 1
Otago: Anaru Kitchen, Neil Broom, Michael Bracewell, Brad Wilson, Nathan McCullum, Derek de Boorder, Josh Finnie, Sam Wells, Bradley Scott, Jacob Duffy, Warren Barnes, Michael Rae.
Auckland (possible): Jeet Raval, Brad Cachopa, Rob Nicol, Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme, Donovan Grobbelaar, Robbie O'Donnell, Tarun Nethula, Michael Bates, Mitchell McClenaghan, Matt Quinn, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell McClenaghan.
