<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The 76ers are close to adding a player. And it could be a familiar face, even though it technically could be someone who has never actually played for them. The player in question could be 6-7 forward Matt Barnes, cut earlier this week by New York. "We're optimistic," said Bill Neff, Barnes' agent. "We're hopeful that it gets done because, based on what they say they need, he could help." Barnes came to the Sixers from Sacramento Feb. 23 of last season with Chris Webber and Michael Bradley in the trade for Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner and Corliss Williamson, but never appeared in a game. He left in free agency after the season. Barnes appeared in six games with the Knicks, making five starts, averaging 4.3 points and four rebounds in 15.5 minutes. He was dropped to allow the Knicks to sign Qyntel Woods. There was speculation that, since then, he was also contacted by the Washington Wizards. Barnes was a second-round draft choice of the Memphis Grizzlies, the No. 46 overall pick, in 2002, but never played for them. He appeared in 38 games with the Los Angeles Clippers in '03-04, and in 43 games with the Kings last season. The Sixers, with a full roster would have to waive someone to make room for a fresh face.</div> Source
Not bad, I wouldn't mind taking him back, he'd actually PLAY for us this time around, and he's a pretty solid player. And as far as who's getting waived, my money's on Thomas.
I'd definitely like this deal to get done. We need as much depth as we need and with him at small forward, we can slide Nailon over to powerforward which would add a bit more stability. Barnes is basically a guy that gives energy, scoring here and there, defense, and the intangibles.
Barnes is a solid player, hopefully he can make a solid contribution to this team if he lands up in Philly. I really wanted him to play for the 76ers last year, because he is such a solid impact player. Now it looks like Matt will get the chance to play in Philadelphia he never got last season.
It's Offical <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers brought back Matt Barnes to provide some front-court depth. The 76ers on Friday signed the 6-foot-7 Barnes, who was acquired with fellow forwards Chris Webber and Michael Bradley in a six-player deal with Sacramento in February. Barnes did not play with Philadelphia last season, spending 24 games on the injured list with left knee tendinitis. He began this season with the New York Knicks, averaging 4.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in six games before being waived Dec. 3. Originally a 2002 second-round pick of Memphis, Barnes was traded with Nick Anderson to Cleveland for Wesley Person that July. Waived by Cleveland and Seattle thereafter, he made his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2003-04 campaign. In 87 games with the Clippers, Kings and Knicks, the 25-year-old Barnes has averaged 4.1 points and 3.5 rebounds. He is expected to provide athleticism behind starter Kyle Korver at small forward.</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2253987 Well, Barnes is now a 76er again, and this time he might actually get to play a significant role off the bench. Whenever Korver is getting beat on defense, the 76ers will be able to substitute Barnes and he should be solid and proivde energy for this team.
He's a great hustle player who can defend...I like Barnes and was sort of surprised that NY let him go...I thought he'd fit nicely in Brown's system, but I do think it would help the Sixers if they picked him up...
I would rather have him than the other two scrubs we cut. He actually did well in his short stint starting for the Kings last season. We could've used him last seaosn, but O'Brien was such a stubborn fool that he refused to let him play. Anyways, I would say it's a good signing and he can help with the defense and on the boards.
