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The Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets agreed to a trade Monday evening to send Clippers center Spencer Hawes and forward Matt Barnes to the Hornets for Lance Stephenson.
According to Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarowski it is unlikely that the Hornets will keep Matt Barnes, at the age of 35 Barnes more than likely would want to play for a title contender next season.
Barnes’ has $1 million guaranteed if he’s waived by July 1st, anytime after that it flips to $3.5 million guaranteed.
The 11 year veteran has provided the Los Angeles Clippers with 10 points per game and 4 rebounds along with his defensive intensity. Head Coach Doc Rivers must have felt that the Small Forward position is a spot he can upgrade this off-season.
Barnes will certainly have interest on the free agent market from teams like the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
He knows his abilities can help provide a championship team some depth off the bench with his perimeter defense and ability to get under opposing players skin.
Another option I can see Barnes pursuing is more financial security at the age of 35 he could opt to join a contender, but a team offering more years on a contract might give Barnes more financial security in the long run.
The teams listed are all speculation, but we know they’ll more than likely kick the tires on a player like Barnes.
