Matt Barnes on joining the Warriors: "Happiest day of my life" next to birth of children
The Golden State Warriors (50-10) have reportedly signed veteran swingman Matt Barnes in the wake of Kevin Durant's knee injury. Durant, the 2013-14 NBA MVP, hyperextended his left knee within the two minutes of Warriors' 112-108 road loss to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
Barnes, who played two seasons with the Warriors between 2006 and 2008, posted a picture on Instagram (see below) late Tuesday night, calling it "the happiest day of my life" since the birth of his children. Barnes has represented championship-calibre teams in the past, the likes of Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers and Chris Paul's Los Angeles Clippers. However, playing for the Warriors in 2017 presents him his best opportunity yet to secure an elusive NBA championship ring.
Durant suffered the injury when Warriors centre Zaza Pachulia, while battling for a loose ball with Wizards big man Marcin Gortat, slid backwards into the superstar forward's leg. Durant grimaced with pain and awkwardly hopped away from Pachulia, while clutching his left leg. The results of Durant's MRI won't be revealed until Wednesday. If early signs are anything to go by, Durant could be ruled out for a considerable period of time. "I'm always concerned about any injury, because you never know how bad it's going to be. So we'll just wait and see and keep our fingers crossed," coach Steve Kerr said after the Warriors' rare loss.
Matt Barnes joins Warriors for rest of the season
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Barnes will be joining the Warriors for the rest of the season, as opposed to a 10-day contract. "It's a dream come true! I feel like I helped start something in '07, and now I'm coming back to help finish it," Barnes told The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears on Tuesday night. The Sacramento Kings waived Barnes ahead of last week's NBA Trade Deadline, despite owing him approximately US$6.5 million (AU$8.4 million) for the 2017-18 season. Barnes will join the Warriors on a veteran minimum contract, which will not count against the team's salary cap.
Meanwhile, veteran point guard Jose Calderon, who was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers last week, will also be joining the Warriors within the coming week. The additions of Calderon and Barnes would significantly bolster Golden State's bench as they attempt to make a third consecutive NBA Finals in June. With uncertainty surrounding Durant's immediate future, teammate Draymond Green is hoping that the injury is nothing more than "a bone bruise." Durant's MRI result on Wednesday could tilt the season on its head.
Matt Barnes, the NBA journeyman, has represented 11 teams since entering the league in 2002. The defensive-minded forward averaged 7.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.4 rebounds from 25.3 minutes per game for the Sacramento Kings. He is expected to take Durant's role as the Warriors' starting small forward.
