CCT: Barnes is set to sign with Pacific rival Suns

Barnes is set to sign with Pacific rival Suns

By Marcus Thompson II
Staff Writer
Article Launched: 07/20/2008 11:35:15 PM PDT

Warriors free agent forward Matt Barnes is switching to a Pacific Division
rival. He said he is signing a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns.

Barnes agreed to a one-year deal for the minimum (which for him, as a
sixth-year NBA player, is $926,678). He is flying to Phoenix today to take a
physical examination.

"I owe a lot to the Warriors organization," Barnes said via text message
Sunday night. "They gave my career a chance. The fans were great. Could be
the best fans in sports. But I just don't understand what went wrong."

After playing for four teams in his first three seasons, the Sacramento
native and former UCLA standout seemed to have found a perfect fit with the
Warriors. He fit their style of play with his length and versatility on
offense. He also provided toughness and defense. He set career highs in just
about every major category during the 2006-07 and emerged as a pivotal
player in the Warriors' playoff run two springs ago.

Barnes averaged 11.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals in
30.0 minutes as the Warriors knocked off the Dallas Mavericks in the first
round before losing to the Utah Jazz in the second round.

But the honeymoon with the Warriors ended quickly. Hoping to land a
long-term deal, Barnes wound up settling for a one-year, $3 million deal
with the Warriors. Then, in a season marked by the death of his mom, Barnes
struggled on the court and fell out of favor with coach Don Nelson.

He is looking to rejuvenate his career with Phoenix, which he said was the
"best fit" for him. The Suns are also a high-scoring team looking to add
defense and toughness.

"But thank you to the team," Barnes texted. "I will definitely miss the
fans, though."

Contact Marcus Thompson II at mthomps2 DeleteThis @bayareanewsgroup.com.