Orlando Magic Officially Sign Matt Barnes

by Evan Dunlap on Jul 23, 2009 3:13 PM EDT in News

The Orlando Magic have officially signed free-agent small forward Matt Barnes, the team announced today. Marc Stein of ESPN.com first reported the deal's imminence late Monday evening.

Here's the team's press release:

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Matt Barnes, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

"Matt (Barnes) is a versatile player that fits very well with our style of play," said Smith. "He is a good defender, can knock down the open shot and is coming off his best season as a pro. We’re happy to welcome Matt to the Magic family."

Barnes (6’7", 226, 3/9/80) played in 77 games last season with Phoenix, averaging career-highs of 10.2 ppg., 5.5 rpg. and 2.8 apg. in 27.0 minpg. He made 40 starts for the Suns, averaging 12.6 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 3.2 apg. during that span. Barnes led (or tied) the team in scoring twice, in rebounding 11 times and in assists four times. He scored in double figures 36 times and had eight games with 20+ points, including a season-best 26 points on Mar. 1 vs. L.A. Lakers. Barnes also recorded five double-doubles and dished out a career-high 11 assists on Mar. 15 @ Golden State.

Originally selected by Memphis during the second round (46th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, Barnes has played in 363 career NBA regular season games with the L.A. Clippers, Sacramento, New York, Philadelphia, Golden State and Phoenix, averaging 7.0 ppg., 4.1 rpg. and 1.8 rpg. in 20.3 minpg. He has also appeared in 11 career playoff games, averaging 11.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.4 apg. and 1.45 stlpg. in 30.0 minpg.

For Orlando Magic ticket information, call (407) 89-MAGIC or log on to orlandomagic.com. Also, follow the Orlando Magic on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Orlando_Magic

As we explained on Tuesday, Orlando no longer has its mid-level exception, having split it on Barnes and Brandon Bass. The Magic used the bi-annual exception last offseason to sign Anthony Johnson, so they can't use it this summer. In short, the Magic are out of money, and are limited to signing players to minimum contracts. You can see the salary structure of minimum deals at Larry Coon's NBA Salary Cap FAQ.

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Comments

SO who do we start?

(this should be fun)

by fwedo on Jul 23, 2009 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

me

I start Shard and bring Barnes and Pietrus off the bench. Keep my guys over 30 fresh- VC and Shard.

If it is between Pietrus and Barnes, I say Barnes. I think Pietrus is the better player, but I think he does a great job off the bench-Like Manu G.

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Jul 23, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with starting Barnes over Pietrus,

I think Barnes is more of a glue guy for the starters (high rebounding, won’t take too many shots, efficient) while Peaches can come off the bench given the situation (i.e. we need to score, or to shut down a specific player).

It’s a great problem to have.

by fwedo on Jul 23, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Barnes could play a similar role to Lee last season.

.. in the sense that he can serve as being the spot-up shooter in the starting lineup. Pietrus is going to get minutes regardless. I think he could start or be the sixth man, and I would be fine either way.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 23, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Nelson-Carter-Barnes-Lewis-Howard

For the subs, I’d actually rather see Bass and Gortat together, and Anderson come in when Howard’s still on the floor and Lewis is off. Bass/Gortat is weaker offensively, but (should be) disgusting on defense, while Anderson stretches the floor better than Bass.

"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"

by The Dark on Jul 23, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the rotation.

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Jul 23, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

indeed

by fwedo on Jul 23, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

My sentiments exactly

by pianolady on Jul 24, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Will be fun,here:

PG-me
SG-erivera7
SF-fwedo
PF-BenQRock
C-bigAaron
Bench: Derekk,Surf,Sou,Dark,Wmil,etc etc etc
J/K

by Dzogi on Jul 23, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

hahaha yes!

by fwedo on Jul 23, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Can I be SVG? I think I'm fiery enough

"Shoot first, ask questions last" Rafer Alston

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jul 23, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

You got my vote.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 23, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

bench

I am fine coming off the bench as long as I have the green light when I come in..

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Jul 23, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I see how it is! :(

Still a girl.

by TheGiantSquid on Jul 23, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

We can be Mike Wilks together, Squid

All but forgotten . . . but we’re the cool kids, so we don’t care and look at everybody with disdain.

Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek

by funny80sguy on Jul 23, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

aw thanks :3

Still a girl.

by TheGiantSquid on Jul 23, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

haha :P I want to join ya two!

by derekk on Jul 23, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

What a mess...

I knew it was better to include everybody,but I was too lazy…
My bad

by Dzogi on Jul 25, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

You're the big mid-season trade.

by fwedo on Jul 23, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL .. I'll play the 2, works for me.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 23, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

son of a b..............i got left out

is it cause i didn’t want von wafer????

I knew it!!!

Never trust a fart

by AB's triple double on Jul 23, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Hah,no

You obviously have an ugly vocabular,and Orlando is all about nice guys,lol

by Dzogi on Jul 25, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Put me in when you need somebody to give a hard foul (injury) to an opposing star player

I’ve been watching Robert Horry tapes I’m ready coach!

by Souwantmyname on Jul 23, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Talk to head coach,DSK

I think he’s got no assistant yet…

by Dzogi on Jul 25, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

hehe :D

by derekk on Jul 23, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Im really like a C.Lee type, combo SG sparkplug, good shooter, good defender, quick.
All on an immensely lower level of play.. lol

by derekk on Jul 23, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

We start Dwight, Jameer and Rashard

… and then work from there

by GuapoDCole on Jul 23, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

YAY!

by derekk on Jul 23, 2009 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

Start Barnes at SF, have Pietrus play starter level minutes almost backing up Barnes and Carter.

by derekk on Jul 23, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

and Pietrus is better than Barnes right now, so that should be majority minutes at that spot.

by derekk on Jul 23, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

The Magic are stacked

It is going to be awesome watching SVG put it all together.

by CaliFlorida on Jul 23, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I trust SVG's ability to make it all mesh together.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 23, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Whatever combo Stan comes up with; We won't have any bad lineups

by Souwantmyname on Jul 23, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Except when he experiments with an all-big lineup

Gortat at PG, Bass at SG, Anderson at SF, Lewis at PF, and Dwight at C.

Sure, nobody will score on the Magic when they have a ridiculous stat of a block for every 16 seconds, but the Magic will constantly turn it over when they never get the ball past half court when they are on offense.

Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek

by funny80sguy on Jul 23, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

lets do it :P

by derekk on Jul 23, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

What about

PG-VC SG- Shard SF-Bass PF-Anderson C-Dwight

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Jul 23, 2009 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

switch bass and anderson

by fwedo on Jul 23, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Done.

You also start Gortat and Bring Bass of the bench..

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Jul 23, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL .. that lineup would be ridiculous.

The spacing on offense would be so horrible, it’d be laughable.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 23, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I would love to see that lineup one time!

But in response to the headliner, FINALLY! I can now rest assured that really got our man and didn’t get Hedo’d.

by Eric9321 on Jul 23, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

AMEN BROTHER!!

by pianolady on Jul 24, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

switch Gortat and Andersons positions and it could work

Thats me chilling with Nick Anderson

by The Magic made Lebron run off the court on Jul 25, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 25, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Starting lineups

Most games

NELSON/ CARTER/ PIETRUS/ LEWIS/ HOWARD

Lean-n-mean

NELSON/ CARTER/ LEWIS/GORTAT/ HOWARD

Big-n-bad

NELSON/ CARTER/ LEWIS/ BASS/ HOWARD

and the variations are endless, like…

against the Kings/Thunder/Grizzlies to rest the starters (I THINK WE WIN BY 10)

JOHNSON/ BARNES/ ANDERSON/ BASS/ GORTAT

Rhino set

NELSON/ CARTER/ BASS/ GORTAT/ HOWARD

I would like to see the last one at least one time

Thats me chilling with Nick Anderson

by The Magic made Lebron run off the court on Jul 25, 2009 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

Hah. You probably won't see the last one.

There’s no way Bass is playing on 3. Otherwise,you made valid point.
It’s all about matchups,and that’s why it’s important to have options and flexibility.
I love depth.

by Dzogi on Jul 25, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

You won't see the last one, simply because there'd be absolutely no spacing on offense.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jul 25, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I can dream

Plus with nelson and carter playing inside out you dont need spacing. And the other team wouldnt score, we could end the game as winners 68-55 and have 28 blocks as a team.
lol or so I dream

Thats me chilling with Nick Anderson

by The Magic made Lebron run off the court on Jul 25, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

68-55? You'd want to see that?

You and I have very different preferences when it comes to basketball styles. I appreciate solid D as much as anybody, but good grief. 68 points?

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."

by Evan Dunlap on Jul 26, 2009 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah I would

Not all the time mind you just once or twice a season. It would be cool to see shot block recap on ESPN top 10.
I like run and gun but solid D is fun sometimes. Put a reverse spalding logo on Bron-Brons face.

Thats me chilling with Nick Anderson

by The Magic made Lebron run off the court on Jul 26, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions