The Sacramento Kings have come to terms on a deal with free agent Matt Barnes, according to Sam Amick of USA Today Sports:
That was quick: Kings agree to terms with Matt Barnes, I’m told.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 4, 2016
The deal is a two-year agreement worth $12M that includes a player option in the final season, per James Ham of CSN California:
Matt Barnes deal with Kings is for 2 years for $12 million. Second season is a player option.
— James Ham (@James_Ham) July 4, 2016
In 76 appearances with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, Barnes averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per contest.
Barnes had previously played for the Kings during the 2003′-’04 season, two years after being selected No. 46 overall by Memphis in the 2002 NBA Draft.
For the Kings, they’re getting a 13-year veteran enforcer that’s made stops with the Clippers, Kings, 76ers, Knicks, Warriors, Suns, Magic, Lakers, and Grizzlies.
Before agreeing to a deal with Sacramento, Barnes had received interest from Dallas, Los Angeles (Clippers), and Golden State. The interest between Golden State and Barnes was mutual, according to reports. However, the Warriors weren’t making any significant offers until Kevin Durant had made his own free agent decision. Barnes, opting not to wait, moved forward with the idea of heading back to Sacramento.
Barnes joins DeMarcus Cousins, Darren Collison, and others in what should be one fascinating roster next season. Cousins, a huge fan of Barnes, has been pushing for Sacramento to sign him for the better part of the last few years.
The last time Barnes played for the Kings, he was seen sharing the court with teammates Mike Bibby, Peja Stokavic, and Chris Webber. His tenure was short lived, as he was later dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in a multi-player deal.
An acquisition of Matt Barnes has now officially left the Kings without any remaining cap space. With Rajon Rondo agreeing to a deal with the Bulls and Seth Curry looking to sign elsewhere, the Kings are still hoping to sign another point guard sometime this summer to serve as a back-up to Darren Collison. They’ll have to get creative in doing so, with a future deal centered around Rudy Gay likely to help aide in this process.
Sacramento has been aggressive thus far in free agency, pursuing the likes of Courtney Lee, Dion Waiters, and Ryan Anderson, and signing the likes of Anthony Tolliver, Garrett Temple, and now Matt Barnes.
Expect them to eventually fill the gaping hole at the back-up point guard position.
For Barnes, his annual salary is spiking from $3.4M to $6M, a trend we’ve seen from several players on the market so far in free agency.
