SACRAMENTO - "Sactown's Finest" has come home. No, Ryan Anderson hasn't switched course and decided on joining the Kings. But CSN California has confirmed that Sacramento native and former Del Campo High star, Matt Barnes is joining the Kings on a two-year, $12 million deal.
The second season of the deal is a player option.
Barnes spent last season playing under coach Dave Joerger in Memphis and instantly provides depth at the small forward position for the Kings. The versatile, but volatile wing averaged 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game last season with Memphis. Despite his advancing age for an NBA player, Barnes is known as a gritty defender and plays with a toughness the Kings desperately need.
Like Garrett Temple, who Sacramento signed earlier Sunday, this is the second tour of duty for Barnes with the Kings. The 36-year-old forward played 43 games during the 2004-05 season for the Kings before being sent to Philadelphia, along with Chris Webber and Michael Bradley for Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson.
Barnes made a surprise appearance at DeMarcus Cousins youth basketball camp at Sacramento High. He was very clear during that visit that he would love to come back to Sacramento and finish out his 13-year career that includes stops with the Clippers, Kings, 76ers, Knicks, Warriors, Suns, Magic, Lakers and Grizzlies.
With the signing of Barnes, Temple, Arron Afflalo and Anthony Tolliver, the Kings have all but exhausted their available cap space. They've added solid depth at positions of need and still have the ability to make changes via trade.
