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Sources say the 32-year-old Barnes has told the Clippers he will sign with them, and a deal is expected to be finalized as soon as Friday. Barnes turned down a more lucrative deal with Cleveland two summers ago to sign with the Lakers at the behest of Kobe Bryant, and it appears a similar superstar dynamic could be in play with the Clippers and Chris Paul.

Paul, who carries more Clippers clout than ever these days because of his looming free agency in 2013, has been included in the team's decision-making process throughout the summer and would love to make Barnes the latest addition. He appears on the verge of getting his wish. The Clippers re-signed a Paul favorite in point guard Chauncey Billups earlier this summer, secured a five-year extension with forward Blake Griffin and also added the likes of scorer Jamal Crawford, veteran small forward Grant Hill and reliable big man Ronny Turiaf.

It's been a banner summer for the new vice president of basketball operations, Gary Sacks, a longtime Clippers executive who teamed up with team president Andy Roeser and coach Vinny Del Negro on the personnel front when general manager Neil Olshey left for Portland. Barnes -- who averaged 7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 22.9 minutes in 63 games last season and has been impressing during workouts at the Clippers facility in recent weeks -- would be a low-risk, high-reward add that would replace the toughness and defensive mentality lost with the exit of free-agent forward Kenyon Martin. Sources say the Lakers have still been considering signing Barnes as well, along with Brooklyn and Miami.

Sam Amick, Sports Illustrated

There’s an irony in having Grant Hill, multiple citizenship award winner being backed up by a wife beater.

Leslie and Thompkins are going to get more than likely no time this season I rather but them in the D League for the year to get reps rather than trade or waive them it never hurts to have young talent stashes it works for the Spurs.

CLIPPERS SIGN MATT BARNES

9/14/12

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent forward Matt Barnes. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

The nine-year NBA veteran has averaged 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 21.3 minutes over his career. In 63 games played for the Lakers last season, Barnes tallied 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

This marks Barnes’ second stint with the Clippers. After signing with Los Angeles as a free agent rookie in 2003-04, he averaged 4.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 19.1 minutes in 38 games played that season.

Barnes turned in his most productive NBA campaign with the Phoenix Suns during the 2008-09 season. In 77 games played (40 starts) with the Suns, Barnes averaged a career-high 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 27.0 minutes per game.

Aside from the Clippers, Lakers and Suns, Barnes has also played for the Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic over his career.

Barnes was originally drafted in the second round (46th overall selection) of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies but was traded to Cleveland prior to the start of his rookie season. After being waived by the Cavaliers during training camp, Barnes played 50 games for Fayetteville of the NBA D-League averaging 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds during the 2002 season.

During his four-year collegiate career at UCLA (1998-2002), Barnes tallied 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22.6 minutes per game. Barnes helped lead the Bruins to NCAA Tournament appearances in all four of his seasons at UCLA, including three straight appearances in the Sweet Sixteen.

Clippers.com

Matt Barnes goes from Blake Griffin's 'enemy' to a teammate

“Chris Paul was talking about how tough we were going to be next year, assuming I was a Laker,” Barnes said in a telephone interview. “I told him I was a free agent and he said, ‘No, you’re about to be a Clipper.' "

Barnes said the All-Star point guard pitched signing Barnes to Clippers management, though there was one potential hang-up: Barnes had shoved Griffin to the floor during a preseason game last December, earning a flagrant foul.

So before agreeing to acquire the nine-year veteran, Barnes said, the Clippers checked with Griffin to receive his blessing. Barnes said he also spoke with Griffin on Thursday.

"I just kind of explained to him that it was no disrespect to him or his game," Barnes said. "I think he’s one of the best players in the league and arguably the most athletic player. I play basketball hard-nosed and if you’re not on my team, during that 48 minutes we’re enemies. He appreciated it and understood where I was coming from."

"I’ve been getting a lot of hate tweets, crossing over and trading" teams, Barnes said. "But people have to understand this is a business and teams and players have to do what they have to do. I wish the Lakers nothing but luck. I still have friends over there. When we’re on the court, they’re the enemy now."

Ben Bolch, LA Times

Quake Griffin wrote:anybody have know the logic behind this deal?


caron
grant
now barnes


????????

ClipperEric wrote:Barnes sucks and he's an a-hole. Wish we didn't have him but he'll be nothing more than a practice player for us.

og15 wrote:Sadly, Barnes was more productive on offense and defense than Butler last season, and as inconsistent as he is, was no less consistent than Butler. Unless Butler improves this season, which I'm hoping he does, then based on your conclusion, Butler might technically suck even more and is an $8 million practice player who get's to start.