Golden State Warriors NBA Trade Rumors: Warriors to Sign Matt Barnes
This must be one of the strangest things basketball fans will ever see. The Golden State Warriors signed Jose Calderon to a contract on Wednesday, but hours later they had to let him go because they needed to clear a roster spot to sign a small forward after Kevin Durant went down with an MCL sprain and tibial bone bruise in his left knee.
Calderon never got the chance to play with the team. But with Durant sidelined for an extended period of time, the Warriors had to do something to fill the gap left behind by the All-Star forward. Veteran swingman Matt Barnes just happened to be available and the Warriors knew that they had to get him.
ESPN has reported that Barnes would sign with the Warriors, and Barnes also told the publication that he would be signing a rest-of-the-season deal, not a 10-day contract. Well, Barnes sure is happy and he made a post on Instagram to celebrate.
Barnes played for the Warriors from 2006 to 2008. He was part of the 2006–2007 team that shocked the basketball world when they defeated the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. Barnes also spoke with The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears about his impending return and he said it was a dream come true.
Well, Barnes has gone from the most chaotic team in the league to one of the top title contenders, so he has to be ecstatic. He played for the Sacramento Kings earlier this season and he's averaging 7.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists while playing just a tad over 25 minutes per game.
He was waived by the Kings on Feb. 20 to clear up space on the roster for the players the team was getting back after they dealt DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans.