Programming note: Log on to the CSN Bay Area Facebook page Wednesday morning at 10 a.m when Warriors analyst Kelenna Azubuike joins "Warriors Outsiders" Drew Shiller and Grant Liffmann to bring you the latest on the Kevin Durant injury and the reported signing of Matt Barnes.
Matt Barnes announced late Tuesday night that he is returning to the Warriors, and the team’s intention to sign him was confirmed by a league source.
Which suggests that the news regarding Kevin Durant’s left knee is not good.
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SIGN UP HERE As of Monday morning, the Warriors were set to make one roster move, bringing in veteran point guard Jose Calderon. At the same time, according to league sources, they were studying the buyout market for other possible fits, namely a wing.
The Warriors have two natural wings: Andre Iguodala and Durant.
Barnes, at 6-foot-7, is a natural wing who previously spent two seasons with the Warriors.
Durant sustained a hyperextended left knee in a 112-108 loss to the Wizards on Tuesday in Washington. He underwent an MRI test late Tuesday, though the Warriors announced they are not releasing the results and prognosis until Wednesday morning.
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Barnes was waived last week by the Sacramento Kings and is a free agent. He played in 54 games (13 starts), averaging 7.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists. The UCLA product shot 38.4 percent from the field, 32.7 from 3-point range.
So where does this leave Calderon? That’s not yet clear. He won’t be a Warrior for long according to an ESPN report stating the Warriors still plan to sign him on Wednesday, only to waive him afterward to create a spot for Barnes.
Barnes, who will turn 37 next week, was a member of the 2006-07 Warriors, known as the “We Believe” Warriors, noted for making a late push into the playoffs, nabbing the No. 8 seed and upsetting the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round.
The decision to add Barnes seems logical under the circumstances. Adding a wing capable of starting, even if not for big minutes, would be a higher priority than adding a third-string point guard.
News of the deal between the Warriors and Barnes was first reported by ESPN.